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Gem Lake News Page 6 of 8 <br /> <br /> Gem Lake Loses Lifelong Resident <br /> <br />Very few people can lay claim to living their whole lives <br />in Gem Lake. Larry Kuehn was one of them. He was <br />born in 1939 to Anna Braun. At that time, Gem Lake was <br />a sleepy little village, filled with truck farmers and horse <br />trails. By the time of his recent passing on March 21, <br />2024, Gem Lake had morphed into a green oasis in the <br />middle of a busy urban area, surrounded by freeways <br />and commercial businesses. <br /> <br /> <br />Larry grew up and worked on the family farm located at <br />1400 Goose Lake Road, with his grandparents Adam <br />and Lucy Braun. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. <br />Navy and married Viola Olheiser. Over the years, the <br />couple raised six children, Pam, Julie, Larry, Scott, <br />Cheryl, and Mary. His years in the Navy ignited his love <br />of travel. He was stationed in Hawaii, out of which his <br />ship the U.S.S. Helena, sailed the oceans and seas. <br /> <br /> <br />After his military career, he returned to Gem Lake and <br />moved across the street from the family farm after it was <br />sold and engaged in several business ventures to <br />support his family. He started Kuehn Excavating out of <br />his Gem Lake property, growing it into a successful <br />business over the years. He retired in 2004. <br /> <br /> <br />Larry’s love of travel inspired him to become a pilot. He <br />was a proud bush pilot for most of his adult life, flying all <br />over the United States and Canada. He said he was most <br />a peace in the skies. He would attend the Reno Air <br />Races annually and enjoyed flying into the bush in <br />Canada to go fishing. Many trips were made with his <br />children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren. <br />Many family trips were made to his favorite location, <br />Custer State Park. Larry’s love of a challenging, albeit <br />short, runway was ever present. Airports were optional. <br /> <br /> <br />Larry was a magic enthusiast, who brought playing cards <br />to every family gathering, where he would entertain <br />everyone with card tricks. <br /> <br />Larry lived a full and adventurous life, mostly in the City <br />of Gem Lake. His love of travel and adventure was <br />passed onto his family, who miss him immensely. He was <br />preceded in death by his mother Anna, special aunts <br />Elizabeth and Lucille, son Scott, and grandsons Owen <br />and Brian. He is survived by children Pam Frisk, Julie <br />Wrich, Larry, Jr., Cheryl Hagen, and Mary Carroll, as well <br />as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and <br />even two great great grandchildren. <br />