Larry Rief

Larry Leo Rief, 76, of North Platte, died Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at Great Plains Health.

Larry was born on June 19, 1942, to Francis Leo and Delores (Emanuel) Rief in Wisner, Nebraska, where he grew up. He graduated from Wisner High School in 1960 then went on to graduate from Regis College in Denver, Colorado in 1964. Larry went to work for C.I.T. and Gates Rubber Company before going into banking, working in mortgage lending, and he had his Colorado real estate license.

Larry moved to North Platte in 1979 and owned Larry's Liquor until 1990 when he returned to Wisner and went into business with his brother who owned a feed lot. After a short time, Larry moved back to North Platte and worked for Mid-Nebraska Ice for 25 years until retiring in 2015.

During the 1960's, Larry joined the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and served six years until his honorable discharge in October 1970. He married Diane Sandberg in Colorado in 1973, they had two children and later divorced.

Larry was an active member of Eagles Aries #2839, serving as President and Trustee. He went on to serve as State President in 2003 then State Trustee. In his free time, Larry enjoyed hunting, fishing and gambling.

He is survived by his children, Brian Rief, and Jodi (Bill) Simants, and their mother, Diane Kirsch, all of North Platte; grandsons, Grady and Koby; brothers, Mike (Kathy) Rief, of Shelby and Tom (Brenda) Rief, of Seward; sister, Judy (Bob) Feller, of Wisner; as well as lots of other family and friends.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Delores.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, January 4, 2019, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with Celebrant Father Josh Brown. Burial will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. followed by a Rosary Service at 7 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to Team Jack in honor of Larry's grandson, Grady.