Larry Clarence Quast

Larry Clarence Quast, 92, of Cheyenne, passed away on March 9 at Davis Hospice Center.

He was born June 16, 1933, in Brownton, Minnesota, to Clarence and Rosella Quast.

Larry graduated in 1951 from Brownton High School where he played football and basketball. He was active on the family farm.

He joined the U.S. Navy in June of 1952 serving until 1956. During his naval career he was assigned to the Bennington and Hornet aircraft carriers. His travels abroad took him to many countries, and he always enjoyed sharing these stories with his family.

After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to Minnesota where he met his lifetime love Colleen, at a local café in Mankato. In May of 1958, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He and Colleen married in July of that year. Larry was stationed in Rantoul, IL at Chanute AFB.

During most of his time with the Air Force, he served as a rocket missile mechanic and was transferred to F.E. Warren AFB in 1971, retiring in 1974. After earning his bachelor’s degree in education, he began a new career as a science teacher at Johnson Junior High. Later, he received his master’s degree in 1989 from Leslie College, and he retired from McCormick Junior High as an industrial arts teacher.

Larry was a parishioner at St. Mary’s Cathedral, and his faith was very important to him.

Always the shop teacher, Larry worked during the summers doing many house maintenance remodeling and painting jobs for others with his son Michael. He also loved planting trees on his property and helping his children with their own home remodel projects. Summertime for Larry included many hours spent on the riding lawn mower and hand-watering his numerous trees.

In his spare time, Larry enjoyed antiquing and going to auctions with his family. He was an avid woodworker and loved to refinish antique furniture and clocks. He was passionate about his massive working clock collection, which made Daylight Savings Time interesting. Larry spoke fondly about his 1956 Oldsmobile and continued his love of cars. He was mechanically inclined and enjoyed tinkering in his workshop.

Wildlife including birds, deer, fox and squirrels, to name a few, were abundant on his five acres. He was an avid gardener of tomatoes and flowers. In addition, Larry and Colleen spent many hours fishing at various lakes with their family.

Larry loved spending time with his grandchildren and attended many of their sporting events and extracurricular activities. He taught them firearms safety and they enjoyed target practice. He was known by many for his “tall tales,” jokes, and lengthy card games with the family during which many fond memories were made.

Larry is survived by his children Michelle Frank (Mark), Michael Quast (Mary), Kelly Shappell (Mike), grandchildren Curran, Cameron, McKailyn and Delaeni Quast, Ryan DeVries (Brittany), Meghan Wiganowsky (Jeff), and Morgan Frank, Ryan, Aaron (Maria) and Brittani Shappell, great grandchildren, Nora and Valor Quast, Elena Frank, and Jack DeVries.

He was proceeded in death by his wife of 65 years, Colleen, parents, Clarence and Rosella Quast, and granddaughter McKenna Quast.

Rosary will be held on Thursday, March 12, at 5 p.m., at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 13, at 10 a.m., at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel. Interment at Olivet will follow. There will be a gathering at The Office Bar & Grill,1600 E Pershing Blvd, Cheyenne, WY 82001 directly following interment.

The family asks in lieu of flowers those who wish may donate to Davis Hospice, Cheyenne Animal Shelter or a charity of their choice.