Lawrence Glassmann

After being separated from his beloved wife, Carol Glassmann, who joined God in 2015, Lawrence “Butch” Richard Glassmann, Jr. decided it was time to be with her in heaven on May 24, 2018. While holding the hand of his daughter, Kathleen Glassmann, he said, “I’ve lived a full life…” and he sure did.

Butch, as he was affectionately known by all who knew him, was born to Lawrence and Anne Glassmann in Chicago, IL, on October 30, 1938. His “full life” consisted of so many wonderful things. After moving from Illinois to Minnesota, Larry began a myriad of goals. He graduated from Backus Public School in 1956, after which he joined the United States Army and was Honorably Discharged in February 1964. Larry also graduated from Bemidji State University and received his teaching degree in June of 1967 and began shaping the minds of young children at St. Francis School in Brainerd, MN. After four years at St. Francis he decided to teach at his high school alma mater.

Although Larry loved teaching, he was anxious to accomplish more in his life, so after two years at Backus School, he became the Director of the Day Activity Center (DAC) in Pine River, MN. Of course, he never really got away from teaching because the DAC was a place for educating special needs adults. Larry gave over 30 years of his life to the DAC before retiring.

While accomplishing all of this, he and his wife fostered over 30 children, one of which they adopted and named James, who preceded Larry in death in 2000. Larry was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, assisting his wife with many church functions, including working church dinners and the bingo booth at the County Fair. He was a Lecturer for Our Lady of Lourdes and all the parishioners will tell you what a great singing voice he had!

Was this enough for Butch? Of course not. He was a farmer for many years, raising cows, horses, chickens and pigs. He planted numerous crops, from corn to alfalfa to onions. He thoroughly loved the wildlife. Feeding his hummingbirds and various birds, knowing each species, to making sure his deer got fed corn and apples in his woods, was his passion. Although he loved all animals, he didn’t much care for the grey squirrels who kept stealing his birds’ food!

Butch was also a very giving man and loved to share. Annually, he shared his property during hunting season to about a dozen friends and family members. Every November the “gang” was anxious to get “up north” hoping to get that deer. He and his wife shared their home to a Sri Lankan priest every year, never saying no. His home was always open to all.

Larry is survived by his daughters, Kathleen (Tony Michals) Glassmann and Kristine (Michael) Jones; grandchildren: David (Ashley) and Matthew (Brooklyn) Jones, Courtney and Chelsea Glassmann, Chloe (Daniel) Newton, Kaitlyn Alderson; great granddaughters: Anastasia Glassmann, Sophia Jones, Saylor Newton; brother, Ronald (Janice) Glassman; sister, Carol (Bill) Reeves; and sister-in-law, Jeannie Glassman. Besides his wife and son, Larry is also preceded in death by his brother, Raymond Glassman, who passed away in 2011.

In continuing with Larry’s giving persona, he would like for you to donate to the following charities: The Pine River Area Food Shelf, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD.