Larry W. Carlson

Larry W. Carlson, 78, of Pierre, passed away July 1, 2026. A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00pm, Monday, July 6, 2026 at Feigum Funeral Home concluding with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm. Funeral Services will be at 11:00am, Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at New Life Church with Interment at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Blunt, SD.Larry Carlson was born on April 26, 1948, in Kadoka, South Dakota, the firstborn child of Leonard and Lillian (Erickson) Carlson. Larry grew up south of Kadoka and attended South Creek School until it closed. He then attended Kadoka High School, where he graduated. Shortly after graduation, Larry moved to Omaha, NE, where he attended airline flight training school. He later worked in the oil fields near Gillette, WY, before returning to South Dakota to work at the Black Hills Gold Mine.
His adventurous spirit then led him west to Montana, where he cowboyed at the Papa John Scott Ranch. While there, Larry attended horseshoeing school in Bozeman. After graduating, he met Hank Weasa, a horseshoer who also specialized in trimming cattle hooves. Larry joined Hank on the road, trimming cattle feet during the spring. He owned and operated a big game guide service each fall.
In 1986, Larry purchased Hank’s cattle hoof trimming business and established his home base in Fort Pierre. The following year, he bought his first racehorse. After it won its first race, Larry—true to his nature—decided one racehorse wasn’t enough and soon added many more to the stable.
Larry, referred to by friends as “Larry S. P. Carlson,” loved rodeo and competed in both saddle bronc riding and bull riding from a young age. He was an exceptional roper and generously shared his knowledge by hosting numerous roping clinics at his arena on Airport Road over the years.
In 1992, friends Joe Thorne and Bette Jo Willingham decided Larry and Robin would make a good match and made a point of inviting them both wherever they went. Their matchmaking worked, and Larry and Robin were married in 1993.
He has remained close to his three daughters throughout the years and shared many memorable moments with each of them at various gun auctions, horse races, and visits. He was always just a phone call away.
After retiring from the cattle hoof-trimming business, Larry purchased a semitruck and spent several years hauling cattle and hay. Whenever he had the opportunity, he could be found hunting with his beloved dogs. He took great pride in training his bird dogs and coon dogs and spent countless hours enjoying the outdoors. Larry was also well known for his extensive knowledge of firearms and was always willing to share his experience with others.
Larry is survived by his wife, Robin; his children, Lori Carlson (Rod Hess) of Elk River, MN; Wynne (Justen) Phelps of Riverton, WY; Ruth (Burke) Steele of Boulder, WY; Kellee Henley of Pierre, SD; Hank (Heather) Badger of Coupeville, WA; and Jenny (John Thiem) Waite of Pierre, SD.  He is also survived by his grandchildren: Taylor, Logan, Quinn, Regan, Lexi, Brianne, Vashti, Chance, Blake, Roane, Harlan, Wyatt, Cody, Cheyenne, Branson, Jaxon, Rayanna, Kaden, Cody “Catfish,” Sophie, and Cyrus; his 16 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his siblings, Charlie Carlson, Mark (Tammy) Carlson, and Lavonne Carlson, all of Kadoka, SD, and Lesa (Sid) Addison of Tuthill, SD. Numerous nieces and nephews.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Lillian Carlson; his brothers, Lonnie, Lenus, and James Carlson; his sisters, Marlene “Molly Bea” Perault and Glenda Carlson; and his father-in-law, Don (Erin) Bourk.