Larry Allen Follman

Larry “Bim” Follman, 55 of Devils Lake and York, ND died on Friday, October 16, 2009 at Heartland Care Center in the loving care of his family and Mercy Hospice. Funeral Services for Bim will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wolford Lutheran Church, Wolford, ND. Rev. Phil Leer will officiate and burial will be at a later date in the York Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. Bim’s good friend, Pastor Michael Rohrer will lead the service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Bim will be Mark Kalbus, Terry Engstrom, Brent Kurtti, Kevin Lunde, Bob Silliman and Dylan Yoder. Honorary Bearers will be Bim’s brothers, Rick and Terry Follman and his nephews, Rusty Halvorson, Randy Follman, Steve Lewis and Matt Follman. Larry Allen was born on December 29, 1953 in Rugby, ND the son of Jack and Betty (Stoll) Follman. He was reared and educated in the Wolford area, attending the Wolford Public School. He lived most of his life on the Follman family farm, rural Wolford. Larry was at one time married to Sandra McGarvey and they had a daughter Linsey Ann. They made their home in Union Township, where Larry farmed through the years. He later married Sheila Olson and they had two sons, John and Jackson. Larry had many adventurous careers in his lifetime. In addition to farming, he worked as a Radio Announcer for KZZJ in Rugby, attended Auctioneering School in Billings, Montana, sold machinery for Welander Equipment in Rolla and for the past 11 years, worked at the Citizens Community Credit Union. Larry served on the Wolford School Board and was an active member of the Wolford Community. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, farm life and animals, especially horses. One of his many hobbies included building horse wagons and buggies which he would frequently bring to the many area parades.He proudly passed his knowledge of horsemanship down to his children and grandchildren. He loved music and enjoyed playing banjo and guitar, by ear- he didn’t read music. The artistic side of Larry didn’t stop at music, he was a very gifted poet as well. He also took pride in researching and knowing family history and enjoyed sharing this information. Larry loved life, his family and his friends. He never gave up on the hope of a cure for his cancer but he never doubted God’s promise of eternal life with Him in heaven. We have lost someone very special but his memory lives forever in our hearts. Larry is survived by his loving children: Linsey and her husband Jeff Schempp of Williston~Becky and her husband Paul Campbell of Cando~Rachael Schumacher of Devils Lake~John Follman of Wolford and Jackson Follman of Fargo; Grandchildren: Hope, Paige and Wyatt Schempp and Skylar and Keaton Olson; His mother, Betty Follman of Grand Forks; Linsey’s mother, Sandra Tarang of Minot and John and Jackson, Becky and Rachael's mother, Sheila Slaubaugh of Wolford; Brothers and Sisters: Terry (Maxine) Follman, Leeds, ND~Rick (Deb) Follman, Devils Lake~Judy (Lee) Lewis, Mylo, ND~Jan Halvorson, Williston and Jackie (Loren) Knutson also of Leeds. Surviving aunt Nettie Jane (Jim) Evans of Rugby, uncles, Ted (Phyllis) Stoll of Coos Bay Oregon and Fred (Flo) Stoll. Many cousins, nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Larry was preceded in death by his father Jack H. Follman; paternal grand parents, Clarence E. and Marguerite (Johnston) Follman and maternal grandparents, Charles Albert and Sylvia ( Weirich) Stoll. As well as several uncles and aunts on both sides.