Larry Kelso

A memorial service for Larry Kelso was held on Friday, February 25, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with Mark Tuttle officiating.

Eulogy was given by Mel Juran, Roald “Dirt” Beiningen, and Paul Gnirk.

Music was provided by Mark Tuttle.

Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Larry Larson Kelso was born on January 11, 1939, in Burke, SD to Doc and Alma Kelso. Larry and his twin sister, Linda, joined older brothers Grant and Byron to complete their family. When Larry was a small child, his mother Alma passed away from cancer and Doc then married Leota. Larry graduated from Burke High School in 1958, and to this day, holds the long jump, record with a jump of 21.5 feet. He was the 1958 SD state champion in the long jump and the 220 yard dash. He was awarded an athletic scholarship to the University of South Dakota under Coach Dan Lennon, and helped USD win the North Central Conference Meet in 1962; that same year, Larry set the USD long jump record at 23 feet 9.25 inches. To this day, Larry’s jump is still the tenth longest jump for USD.

Larry’s college career was interrupted when he was drafted into the US Army, serving in Korea. When he returned in 1964, he began his career in court services for Minnehaha County in Sioux Falls, SD. He served as chief jailer, county probation office, and chief court services office,r retiring after 30 years of service in 1994. During this time he married Penny Stinton in 1966, and to this union a daughter was born, Kamela Sue, in 1968.

In retirement, Larry lived his best life. He owned and managed rental properties, traveled, and enjoyed annual pheasant and turkey hunts in Gregory and Tripp cCounties. Larry was a staple for Burke’s annual Dog Days celebration. He continued his love for athletics throughout his life, starting each day at the YMCA swimming pool. He excelled in senior track meets and was a volunteer for years at the Howard Wood Relays in the long jump pit. He loved to tease jumpers asking if they thought they would break the Howard Wood long jump record. Sometimes they would say “yeah” and then he would quickly tell them “no”. They would stare at him, perplexed, and he would happily tell them that he was the record holder and more importantly, the measuring tape holder. He was an honoree in 2018 for the Burke High School Meet of Legends.

On February 20, 2022, Larry passed away at the age of 83 years, following a brief stay at the Ava Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD,

Larry is survived by his daughter, Kami (Erik) Warren of Sioux Falls, SD; his grandson, Briggs Warren of Sioux Falls, SD; nieces and nephews; and many friends..