Larry Dale Arganbright

Memorials to Larry Arganbright Seminary Scholarship Fund or the Worship Arts Ministry at Bethany. Larry Arganbright, age 70, of Elkhorn, NE, went to his heavenly home on Dec. 13, 2018 after courageously battling brain cancer. “Pastor Larry” lovingly and joyfully dedicated his life to others in ministry for 44 years. Larry was born January 22, 1948 in Marysville, KS, and was raised by his mother, Alma Arganbright, and his aunts Luetta (Don) Trauernicht and Helen (Raymond) Hogelucht with his four siblings near Wymore, NE. He was involved in high school basketball, football and track and graduated from Barneston, NE in 1966. Being raised on his uncles’ farms, throwing hay bales, and milking cows, Larry realized early on that farming was not his “spiritual gift,” and he decided to enter Kearney State College to pursue a business education degree. In college, he joined the Beta Sigma Psi (Lutheran fraternity) and made lifelong connections with new brothers. While attending KSC, Larry met the love of his life, Sharon Dreier, who he spent the next 50 years with. They were married in Arapahoe, NE, on June 8, 1969. During his senior year of college, Larry felt a calling to go into ministry, and entered Wartburg Lutheran Seminary in Dubuqe, IA. Their first daughter, Cherrish, was born in his first year in seminary, and then Larry served his internship year at Immanuel Lutheran in Lincoln, IL, where he and Sharon made lifelong friends. In 1974, their second daughter, Honnor, was born while finishing seminary. In the summer of 1974, Larry was ordained at his home church in Wymore, NE, and moved to Oberlin, KS where he began his life of ministry at Faith Lutheran. For the next 44 years, Larry fulfilled his calling and shared his gifts serving in three congregations. At each church, he built close relationships, connected people, led each church community to a real application of faith in their lives, and lived as an example of Jesus’ humble, inclusive love. After serving 7 years at Faith Lutheran, Larry was called to be lead pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkhorn, NE, in 1981. Sheridan Lutheran in Lincoln, NE invited Larry as their lead pastor in 1998. In 2010, Larry was surprised when he was contacted by the synod asking him to return to Bethany Lutheran in Elkhorn to re-vitalize the congregation. During his years of ministry, he was continuously envisioning how the spirit could build each congregational community. Larry oversaw the relocation of two church campuses, led spirited worship services, and exponentially grew congregation sizes by drawing people to a living church where love and acceptance were central. He truly loved sharing intimate moments in people’s faith lives including thousands of weddings, baptisms, funerals, and worship services. Larry was also active in the communities in which he lived. He coached his daughters’ youth teams, volunteered at the Elkhorn fire and rescue squad, and energetically supported local schools’ athletic and art activities. Because of this dedication to community, he received the outstanding service to youth award in 1988. Family was another central joy of Larry’s life. Larry lovingly welcomed each addition to the original Arganbright foursome: two exchange student daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren. He often said that his daughters’ weddings and the births of his grandchildren were among the best days of his life. He always made time for family, playing cards and board games, attending activities, or playing with grandkids in the yard. In recent years, he loved spending time fishing and relaxing with family at their lake cabin in Minnesota. He loved connecting with his siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins, and Larry was the most gracious host, always making sure that everyone felt welcomed and cared for and was having a good time. Larry had the amazing gift of connecting with people where they were, and somehow knowing what a person needed before they themselves knew. Through a handshake, hug, or smile, Larry showed people that they were special, important and loved. Larry will be remembered as a child of God who embodied the grace of God in such a way that drew individuals, families, and communities together. His love of others reflected his deep faith, his transparency and humor were contagious, and his compassion and leadership amplified God’s Kingdom wherever he lived and served. There will never be another Larry. Larry is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughters Cherrish (Matt) Holland and Honnor (Joe) Orlando; grandchildren Wolzen and Miller (Holland) and Lorenzo and Gianna (Orlando); brothers Al (Judy) Henrichs and Jerry (Glenda) Arganbright; sister Nancy (Ted) Cook; aunt Luetta Trauernicht; cousin Mark (Joey) Trauernicht; mother-in-law Donna Shafer; and countless loved in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Larry Dale Arganbright

January 22, 1948 - December 13, 2018