Lawrence “Larry” Charles McKernan

Larry McKernan, 83, of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Harmony, Minn., passed away on October 14, 2021, in Las Vegas.

Larry was born in Postville, Iowa, on July 23, 1938.  In 1943 his parents purchased and moved the family to a farm seven miles north of Harmony, where Larry grew up helping with daily farm chores, including milking cows and took on other odd jobs like setting bowling pins at the Harmony Bowling Alley. He attended the rural one-room “Scotland” country school near the farm through 8th grade, where Joyce Jacobsen was his teacher most of those eight years.  In 9th grade he moved onto Harmony High School, where he played football and basketball and graduated in 1956.  After graduation he purchased a milk hauling route and a new truck or two, and hauled canned milk to the dairy.  He also worked for Harmony Produce delivering produce, including eggs, as far as Chicago.   

He enlisted in the Army in 1959 and went onto serve 2 ½ years, stationed for the bulk of that time in Korea.  He returned to Harmony and with the help of Avitus McCabe began farming again, starting with feeder pigs.  He later was able to purchase a farm north of Henrytown, Minn.  During this time Larry had three children: Peter, Paul and Patricia. He would tell his friends and family that his kids were his greatest accomplishment.  

Larry became a private pilot and partnered with a couple good friends purchasing a Cessna 206.  He loved to fly the plane to areas such as South Dakota and Nebraska and buy cattle for his feedlot.  He enjoyed fishing in Northern Minnesota and Canada with family and friends every summer.  He continued farming for 25 years before opening a commodity office in Harmony, where he began selling real estate as well.  In 1984 he moved himself and the commodity office to Las Vegas, selling real estate while also getting his broker’s license.  He ventured into a business with his good friend Dan Delaney, forming Southern Nevada Corporate Realty, a real estate and mortgage company in business for over 26 years.

He later retired but his knowledge of farming, commodity prices, and real estate were always on his mind.  He loved playing golf every Sunday with his friends and playing gin rummy.  He met is life partner, Kristine Gunn and enjoyed retirement with her by taking day trips around Las Vegas and visiting his good friends.  Larry and Krissy were always in the company with their beloved dogs Charlye (Golden Retriever) and Jo-e (Dachshund).  One thing about Larry was he never had too many friends.  Everyone would always say: “We All Love Larry!”

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Grace McKernan; his brothers James “Jerry” McKernan, William “Bill” McKernan, and Joseph “Joe” McKernan; and sisters, Veronica Goldberg, Irene Montwill, and Jane Hopcus

He is survived by his loving partner Kristine Gunn, children Peter (Dorothy) McKernan of Harmony, Minn., Paul (Julie) McKernan of Rochester, Minn., Patricia (John) McKernan-Hagerty of Phoenix, Ariz.; and grandchildren William McKernan of Harmony, Minn., Maggie McKernan of Whitewater Wis., and Molly McKernan of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Nicholas (Farrah) Pairolero of Alexandria Va., and Jenna Pairolero of Brooklyn N.Y.; along with many nieces and nephews he was so proud to have in his life.

There will be a Celebration of Life on November 27, 2021, at Ichabod’s Lounge and Restaurant located at 3300 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, Nev., 89121.  The celebration will be from 2-5 p.m.