Larry Dean Brannan, 83, of LeRoy, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at his home.
“A man tells his stories so many times that he becomes the stories. They live on after him. And in that way, he becomes immortal.” This is a quote from the movie “Big Fish.” Anyone who really got to know Larry Brannan knew this to be true about him. He was silly, charming, funny, and good at telling a good fib. He liked talking to any person standing in front of him, and I think he assumed that everyone was a little bit Irish. He always said what was on his mind, and he tried to make you laugh about it.
Larry had many pastimes that he enjoyed throughout his life. He loved to snowmobile, go boating, go hunting, ride his 4-wheeler and he did it all on full tilt. There have been many sassy teenagers who met their match with Larry while being pulled on a tube behind the boat. He may or may not have “accidentally” parted the hair of his companions while playing golf, and dandelions were no match for his lawnmower. Larry loved animals and they were drawn to him. He had many pet cats and dogs over the years that he loved very much. He even had a pet raccoon as a child. He recently had a cat who he called “My Kitty” or “Miss Kitty,” because why wouldn’t he have a pet named after a character in “Gunsmoke”? He did like his westerns.
Larry was born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, on September 17, 1942, as the youngest son to Murrel and Jennie Brannan. He had many adventures with his sisters and brothers Gloria, Ardith, Murriel, Kathy, Bruce and Vahl. As the baby in the family, he was close in age to many of his nieces and nephews. Many of those nieces and nephews felt like additional siblings to Larry. Larry was very social with his family and friends. Whether people were related to him or not, many referred to him as “Uncle Larry.” Larry graduated from Taylor’s Falls High School in Taylor’s Falls, Minnesota. In his early 20s, he married Jill Anderson. The two of them had one daughter, Kelly. Larry and Jill were married for 36 years, and they hosted many family events for both sides of the family, at their home on Poplar Lake in Dresser, Wisconsin. Larry lived for a short time in Aiken, Minnesota, and then on Reed’s lake near Waseca, Minnesota. Later in life he remarried to Miriam “Postie” Menges and moved to the state of Virginia, where he eventually ended up in Lanexa. They enjoyed being married in the Virginia sunshine for close to 10 years, and then Larry was widowed. Life then took Larry back to Minnesota to reside at his final home in LeRoy, Minnesota, close to his daughter Kelly Puent, her husband Tim, grandchildren Alex, Sam (Kayla), Shea and Gavin; and great-grandchildren Ray and Valerie.
Larry was preceded in death by both of his parents, both of his wives, all of his siblings, and one grandchild, Alex Puent.
Losing Larry is truly the end of an era. Dad, grandpa, “Uncle” Larry you are the man, the myth, the legend and we love you and will miss you dearly.
A celebration of life for Larry, will be held at Quarry Hill Nature Center in the Savannah room on Saturday, September 5 from 1-4 p.m., as an open house. Quarry Hill Nature Center is in Rochester, Minnesota. Please join us for a light lunch, to tell stories, maybe to cry, and to just remember my dearly loved Dad.
P.S. Per Dad’s often voiced preference, no peas or corn will be served at this dinner.
Online condolences may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com.
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