Lawrence Rennfield

On the evening of October 7, 2022, Lawrence "Larry" John Rennfield passed away peacefully at Fort Harrison VA Medical Center in Helena, Montana. He was 71 years old.

Larry was born on January 31, 1951 to George Andrew Rennfield and Eva Stoppler Rennfield at St Ann's Hospital in Anaconda, Montana. In 1959 the Rennfield family which included his two brothers, Butch and Mike, moved from Galen to Deer Lodge. Larry chose to reside in Deer Lodge his entire life.

Working beside his father in the Rennfield Auto Salvage Yard as a young child sparked his passion for repairing and restoring old vehicles. He was operating a wrecker before he had a driver's license. When he was a junior in high school he landed a job with Cliff Gilbert at Mount Powell Texaco. He then moved on to be an automotive mechanic and wrecker driver for Downing Chevrolet. Larry had many other occupations throughout his life including mining, logging truck driver, and road maintenance for the county, ranch-hand, to name a few.

Larry's life was spent serving. He joined the Army in 1971 and was deployed with the 159th support group to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. He served as a reservist until 1996. He was instrumental in developing the "Wall of Honor" for Veterans by holding garage sales.

Larry was community minded and passionate about justice. It was important to him to voice his concerns even if it meant ruffling a few feathers. He was always willing to give a hand to anyone in need and his younger brother Mike remembers him coming to his rescue many times.

Larry had many hobbies including auto restoration, snowmobiling, driving classics in parades and rod runs, and repurposing hand and yard tools into metal animal sculptures. He looked forward to camping every July 4th week to take his pets away from fireworks. He was a member of the Masons. He participated in Search and Rescue for several years.

Larry was an animal lover and adopted many dogs throughout his lifetime. His pets were a huge part of his life and we know they were waiting to rejoin him at the Rainbow Bridge. He always had a biscuit for any four-legged friends that he encountered on his daily visits around town. Neighborhood dogs were welcome visitors at Larry’s home and he would sometimes return home to find a dog friend sitting in his recliner. He devoted much time to PAWHS by organizing fundraisers, assisting at spay-neuter clinics, and working endlessly to save and support rescued animals.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, his brother George (Butch), infant niece Katie, and numerous aunts and uncles and several cousins.

He is survived by his brother Mike (Dodie), nephews Tyler (Hillary) and Riley, his niece Ivy (Greg), great- nieces Freya, Greta, and Ellie, and great-nephew Orson. He is also survived by his uncles Marty (Sue), and Joe (Diane), as well as numerous cousins and friends, including former spouses Kathy Kiss and Wendy Allen, and "Sis" Kim Paulus. Larry was blessed to have many friends that spent time with him. Daily walks and talks with Allen Rome and Dennis Finco were highlights in later years. Care and support from Bob Rase gave him strength.

A funeral service will be held Monday, October 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Deer Lodge First Baptist Church, 127 Sam Beck Rd, Deer Lodge, MT 59722. A one hour visitation will take place prior to the funeral service beginning at 10:00 a.m. A graveside service will be held immediately following the funeral service at Hillcrest Cemetery, Deer Lodge, MT.  Immediately following the graveside service, a reception will be held at the Elks Lodge, 230 Main St, Deer Lodge, MT.

The family would like to thank Larry’s friends, his home-care provider and friend, Mary Newman, and the staff of Deer Lodge Medical Center and Fort Harrison VA Medical Center.

Memorials can be made to PAWHS, the Veterans Wall of Honor, or donor's choice.

Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Larry.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Larry and his family.

PAWS
P.O. Box 283, Deer Lodge MT 59722

Veterans Wall of Honor