Larry Leo Rief, 76, of North Platte, died Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at
Great Plains Health.
Larry was born on June 19, 1942, to Francis Leo and Delores (Emanuel)
Rief in Wisner, Nebraska, where he grew up. He graduated from Wisner
High School in 1960 then went on to graduate from Regis College in
Denver, Colorado in 1964. Larry went to work for C.I.T. and Gates
Rubber Company before going into banking, working in mortgage lending,
and he had his Colorado real estate license.
Larry moved to North Platte in 1979 and owned Larry’s Liquor until 1990
when he returned to Wisner and went into business with his brother who
owned a feed lot. After a short time, Larry moved back to North Platte
and worked for Mid-Nebraska Ice for 25 years until retiring in 2015.
During the 1960’s, Larry joined the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and served
six years until his honorable discharge in October 1970. He married
Diane Sandberg in Colorado in 1973, they had two children and later
divorced.
Larry was an active member of Eagles Aries #2839, serving as President
and Trustee. He went on to serve as State President in 2003 then State
Trustee. In his free time, Larry enjoyed hunting, fishing and gambling.
He is survived by his children, Brian Rief, and Jodi (Bill) Simants, and
their mother, Diane Kirsch, all of North Platte; grandsons, Grady and
Koby; brothers, Mike (Kathy) Rief, of Shelby and Tom (Brenda) Rief, of
Seward; sister, Judy (Bob) Feller, of Wisner; as well as lots of other
family and friends.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Delores.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, January 4,
2019, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Celebrant Father Josh
Brown. Burial will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation
will be Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. followed by a Rosary Service at 7
p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of
arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.
Memorials are suggested to Team Jack in honor of Larry’s grandson, Grady.