Larry Dean Kenyon

Larry D. Kenyon, 84, of Benson, Minnesota, died Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, at home surrounded by his family, under Hospice care. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are pending with Zniewski Funeral home in Benson.

Larry was born in Redfield, South Dakota on February 16th, 1936, the younger of two, to Nannie Bell and Elbert Silas Kenyon. Larry was both baptized and confirmed in 1949 at the First Presbyterian Church in Mankato, MN. After spending his younger years in the west central Minnesota area, he and his family moved to Mankato where he saw the remainder of his school years. While attending high school he expressed his love of music, studying the piano and singing in the quartet “The Kato Kords.” He was also very active as an Eagle Scout, achieving many honors and earning the “Order of the Arrow.” He graduated in 1954 from Mankato High School.

After high school, Larry attended South Dakota State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy in 1958. While in college, he was an ROTC army officer and elected captain of the Scabbard and Blade honorary fraternity. Upon graduating he found work in pharmacies in Joliette, Il, and Golden Valley, MN.

On November 26th, 1960 Larry was united in marriage to Constance Warner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen, South Dakota. To this marriage were blessed four daughters; Patricia, Beth, Julie and Karen. While work moved the family around they settled in Benson, Minnesota in 1963 where he and Connie opened and operated Kenyon Drug/Medicap Pharmacy until their retirement in 2006. In addition, he provided hours at the Swift County Benson Hospital pharmacy and served many years on the Hospital Foundation Board. He was a long time member of the Pilgrim Congregational church where he served on various committees and was a dedicated member of the church choir.

Larry enjoyed spending time with family, dedicated to many hours enjoying all his grandchildren’s events. You would also find him routinely spending mornings at the Benson Bakery, where he would sit in “his booth” reading the paper with a cup of coffee and roll, visiting with friends. Many fond summer nights in 70s and 80s were spent playing softball as a member of “Drugs and Plugs,” a sponsored partnership with the late Jim Grossman of Grossman’s Plumbing and Heating. He enjoyed keeping up with politics and what was happening in sports.

Surviving members of his family are wife Connie of nearly 60 years; daughters Patricia (Jay) Ecklund of Benson, Julie (Adam) Hughes of Waconia, MN, Karen (Corey) Peterson of Benson; eleven grandchildren, Ellen (Paul) Carruth of Benson, Ann Ecklund of Benson, Jeffery Ecklund of Benson, Rachel Ecklund of Fargo, ND, Rebecca Hughes of Boulder, Co, Elizabeth Hughes of St. Paul, MN, David Hughes of Waconia, MN, Katherine Hughes of Menomonie, WI, Molly Hughes of Duluth, MN, Samuel (Kendra) Peterson of Clara City, MN, Emma Peterson of Fargo, ND; and great grandchildren Hayley Holm and Eli, Isaac and Mason Carruth, all of Benson.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Beth, brother Bill Kenyon, and parents Belle and Elbert Kenyon.

On behalf of Larry and his family, they would like to thank the Swift County Benson Hospital for providing not only an exceptional work environment, but outstanding care from the healthcare professionals. SCBH provided very special relationships with colleagues and caregivers that he truly valued and considered them all like family. They would also like to thank Carris Health Rice Hospice for providing gracious and loving care. Memorial contributions to either the Swift County Hospital Foundation or Rice Hospice are very much appreciated.