Larry Earl Fitch

Larry Earl Fitch, age 77.99, of St. Peter passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2025. 

Celebration of Life will be held from 4-7 p.m., on Friday, September 26, 2025 at the Shoreland Country Club. Burial with military honors will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery at a later date. 

Larry was born in St. Peter, Minnesota on September 23, 1947. He was the oldest child of Elaine (Stowell) and Earl Fitch and grew up and attended St. Peter Public Schools where he graduated in 1965. He served in the US Air Force from 1966 to 1970, including serving in the Vietnam War while stationed at an air base in Thailand. He returned to St Peter after his time in the Air Force, where he met Sharon Derner and famously told her he was going to marry her on their first date. They did indeed marry in May of 1971, and recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.  

Larry and Sharon lived in and around St Peter their entire lives, raising a daughter, Nicole (1975) and two sons, Andrew (1979) and Jon (1983) who all also graduated from St. Peter High School. Larry earned an associate’s degree from Mankato Technical College in Accounting and Bookkeeping, and he worked in that field his entire career, beginning with Motor Inn Chevrolet, and later with long stints at both ADC/Onan in St Peter, and Ace Hardware, ironically taking the office his mother, Elaine, occupied for many years in a similar role.  

Outside of working and parenting, and later grand-parenting, Larry spent countless hours grumpily chasing a ball at Shoreland Country Club, rarely missing a Wednesday Men’s Night or a family Sunday golf outing. After retirement in 2012, Larry and Sharon became snow birds in Fort Myers, Florida, extending their golfing season to year-round while entertaining friends and family at their winter home.  

Larry never sought to be the center of attention, content to observe and enjoy the antics of his often boisterous family while staying out of the limelight himself. He was, however, a constant and steady presence. Larry and Sharon traveled all over southern Minnesota for football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, tennis, and whatever other activities their kids insisted on trying out, rarely missing an event, cheering loudly, and quietly reprimanding any unsportsmanlike behavior. His presence could be relied upon at all manner of family events: birthdays, weddings, baptisms, retirement parties, and simple Sunday dinners. Larry showed his love by showing up.  

Larry was diagnosed with liver cancer over six years ago, and due to the incredible medical researchers at the Mayo Clinic and their pioneering immunotherapy treatments, he enjoyed relatively good health through his cancer journey. His family would like to also extend a huge “Thank You” to the incredible doctors, nurses, and caregivers at the VA and Ecumen Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care through this journey.  

Larry is survived by his wife, Sharon; three children, Nicole (Adam) Nafziger of Minneapolis, Andrew (Tara Barnes) of Shakopee, and Jon (Rachel Darge) of St. Peter; 8 grandchildren, and sister, Cindy Davis of St. Peter.