Larry “Lightning” Elden Struck
Larry “Lightning” Elden Struck, age 75, of Lafayette, passed away peacefully of a stroke on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis with his family by his side.
Funeral service was held 11 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winthrop. Pastor Paul Meitner officiates. Burial was in Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Brighton Township.
Visitation was from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winthrop, and continued for one hour prior to the service at church on Friday.
To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: www.mvfh.org
Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes are assisting the family.
Larry is survived by his wife of 52 years, Cheryl; his children, Nathan (Sheila) of Winthrop and Janel (Terry) Berger of Lafayette; grandchildren, Michael Tadlock, Bailey (fiancé Tristan Rieke) Tadlock, Grace Struck, Christopher Berger, and Jenna Berger; siblings-in-law, Patricia Nething, Michael (Iryna) Nething, Rolin (Shirley) Nething, and Sheila Dagner; godson, Jordan Struck; and his pets, Teddy and Missy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elden (1985) and Irene (1975) Struck; father and mother-in-law, Herbert & Maejelle (Nelson) Nething; and brothers-in-law, Steven Nething and Bruce Dagner.
Larry Elden Struck was born on January 25, 1951, at Union Hospital in New Ulm to Elden & Irene (Dallmann) Struck. He was baptized at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Brighton Township, and confirmed on April 11, 1965. Larry grew up on the family farm in Bernadotte Township. He was a 1970 graduate of Winthrop High School and a member of FFA showing his Duroc hogs. He attended and graduated from Faribault Voc. Tech as a welder. Welding was his trade for 34 years.
On September 22, 1973, Larry was united in marriage to Cheryl Nething. The couple were blessed with two children, Nathan and Janel, whom they raised on the farm in Nicollet County. After marriage they lived in Owatonna briefly before moving to Dassel, MN, where Larry opened his own welding shop. When his father needed help on the farm, the family moved to their present location in Bernadotte Township where he farmed for a short time.
Larry took his military basic training at Fort Ord, California. He belonged to the New Ulm National Guard from 1971-1981 as a cook. Larry was a member of the Lafayette Jaycees, Red Cross blood donor, usher in church, helped with funeral meals and was an avid Vikings fan. He enjoyed fishing in Canada or at his cabin in Itasca County and deer hunting. Larry found much enjoyment traveling with Wendinger Travel to Alaska, Hawaii, Panama and the states. Larry also enjoyed riding his Harley and snowmobiling in his younger years.
You could find him in his garden, mowing lawn, cooking or attending his grandsons’ football games. His children and grandchildren were an important piece of his life.
Blessed be his memory.
