Larry Knels, 88, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the Billings Clinic in Billings, MT surrounded by his family.

Funeral Services will be Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 1:00pm at the Ebenezer Congregational Church in Sidney, MT with Pastor David Meehan officiating. Larry will be laid to rest in the Sidney Cemetery in Sidney, MT. A luncheon will follow services for a time of fellowship and sharing. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm at the Fulkerson Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Sidney, MT. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Sidney, MT is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.

Larry was born to John G Knels and Irene (Lorenz) Knels in Sidney, MT on December 12, 1937. Doris (Strasheim), Dennis and Kenny moved to Kinsey Project in Miles City. Then with his family they moved to Fairview, MT and attended Newlon School in Sidney, MT. He attended Central School and went to High School in Fairview with his younger brother Kenny Knels (who later married Kate “Grimsrude” Knels of Culbertson). Larry graduated from High School in Fairview, MT in 1956.

Larry married Patsy “Stordahl” Knels in 1960 and had 3 boys and 1 girl. John “Uncle Buck”- Cindy Knels and their children Maggie Johnson, Kyle Dean, and James Dean. Donald Knels who had daughter Krista Knels and son Hunter Knels. David Knels- Julie (Knels) Klein husband Jason Klein and their children Joshua Knels, Sean Knels and wife Karen (Fuda) Knels, Sara (Klein) Wacha (husband Tyler Wacha), Mercedes Klein, Jason Klein Jr and wife Ricki (Mischel) Klein. Dan Winter (Inez Lobato-Winter) and daughter, Ashli Stretton (husband Nathan Stretton) adopted daughter, Gabrielle Henderson.

Larry started farming with his dad at the Mohair Farm in the late 1950s. After he went to the Clayton Worst Farm, known as the prettiest farm in the Valley. He enjoyed farming and beet harvest alongside his dad. Later he farmed alongside his brother Ken with his wife Kate Knels, with their sons to help them along. Together they passed the ways of farming down to their boys.

Larry ended up getting divorced from Patsy and remarried Diane (Stordahl) Knels in 1977 with her son Mike Stordhal.

Larry opened Tri-K-Chemical in 1978 where he continued farming beets, corn, beans, wheat, and hay. On the farm he had all sorts of animals such as pigs, cows, sheep and many others. He loved gardening, especially planting and growing flowers.. He loved going to antique stores, pawn shops, and local auctions.

He enjoyed taking his kids to the lake, to the cabin where they would camp, fish, go boating and end their days with a bonfire.

He loved to take the kids to Sunday school and after church they would go get ice cream. He attended Ebenezer Congregational Church of Sidney, MT until he moved to Billings, MT.

1996 Larry purchased the Valley Hardware store in Fairview, MT where John “Uncle Buck” Knels ran the store.

Larry and Diane moved to Billings in 2012 where they purchased a home in Lockwood. Larry found a church in Billings where he attended and made new friends. He met Joslyn at church, and they soon became good friends. She would drive him back to Fairview to see his family, go to Doctor Appointments, they would attend church and have lunch together. He soon adopted her into the family; she was such a loving and caring friend.

The last 2 years David Knels took care of our father before he ultimately passed on February 24, 2026.

Larry has many great grandchildren: Madisen, Hannah, Benjamin & Alivia Stretton, Kyler Henderson, Grayson Lattin, Emily Johnson, Kaylee Johnson, Isabella Wacha, Bexlie Klein, Lucas Wacha, Emmy Wacha, Milly Vondahl, Theo Knels, McCoy Knels, Ashlynn Standford, Beau Vandahl, Steely Vondahl, Meya Vondahl, Bjorn Knels, Brody Nygaard, Jennah Nygaard, Kynslee Nygaard.


Larry is preceded in death by his parents John G Knels, Irene Knels. His son John “Uncle Buck” Knels, sister Doris (Strasheim) Dennis, grandson Cody Knels, grandson Chris Knels, wife Diane Knels, grandson Joseph Winter, and great grand daughter Lily Blekested.