COLUMBUS
Larry Dean Baack, 84, passed away peacefully on July 20th at Four Seasons Health Care Center.
Larry was born on March 19, 1940, in Sidney, Nebraska to Arthur & Olga Baack. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Larry was the eldest of four children and grew up on the family farm. He graduated from Potter High School in 1958. He loved to say that he graduated in the “top 20” of his class, but there were only 20 students in the class. Larry always had a great sense of humor! He loved his Lord, family, people, teaching, sports, and music. He never met a stranger that didn’t become a “good friend” of his.
Larry studied at Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska to become a Lutheran school teacher. He also played sports, sang in choir, and participated in school plays. It was there that he met his wife, Marilyn Bettmann. They married on August 5th, 1962, and moved to Evansville, IN for their first teaching positions. After five years in Evansville, Larry received a call to teach at St. Peter’s Lutheran School in Columbus, IN.
Larry taught at St. Peter’s for the remainder of his teaching career…a total of 42 years! During that time, he also served as St. Peter’s athletic director for 28 years. He helped organize the Lutheran Invitational Tournament, which still continues. Larry always wanted to instill a strong faith and Christ-like attitude in his students and athletes. There is a sportsmanship award named for him at the tournament.
Larry was actively involved in community sports as well as state events. He spent many sports seasons refereeing football and basketball. He was a softball and baseball umpire as well. If he wasn’t at a ballgame, he was watching one! Upon retirement, Larry drove a school bus for BCSC for several years. His favorite trips were taking sports teams to games and tournaments.
He was an active and faithful member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, where he sang in the men’s choir and played in the brass ensemble for many years. Later, he joined a Barbershop Choir and Quartet. He also loved spending time with his 9 grandchildren. He was their biggest fan and could often be found at their sporting events cheering them on.
Larry was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn of 56 years, parents, Art and Olga Baack, and his brother Allen. Larry is survived by daughter Joleen (Scott) Krueger of Columbus, son Randy (Jill) Baack of Seward, NE, son Darrin (Jessica) Baack of Belleville, IL, son Korry (Erika) Baack of Washington, D.C., sister Donna Carr of Montgomery, TX, sister Pam (Paul) Jensen of Lincoln, NE, grandchildren Anna (Ross) Briggs and Abby Baack of Seward, NE, Emily, Landon, Kaelyn, and Nolan Baack of Belleville, IL, and Chloe, Sophie, and Liam Krueger of Columbus.
Calling hours will be on Thursday, July 25th, from 4-7p.m. at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on Friday, July 26th, at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Tim Carter officiating. Visitation will also be from 9:00 a.m. until the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran School (memo: Athletic Fund).
