Larry Gene Bortvit

Larry Gene Bortvit, age 67, of Bolivar, Missouri passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at the Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri. He was born March 15, 1941 in Graettinger, Iowa, son of Bernard and Mabel (Robinson) Bortvit. He married Starlene Mix on May 29, 1962 in Petersburg, Minnesota. He owned and operated a curb & gutter business in the 1950's. He was a full time farmer. Farming was more than a passion, it was a way of life. No matter how broke he was, he always provided for his family and found ways to be rich on a dollar. He retired from John Morrell's in Estherville, Iowa in 1978 at which time the family moved to Missouri and began dairy farming. For several years he trucked hay in for the local farmers and eventually began driving for trucking companies out of Springfield. When driving, he was nicknamed "The Black Panther" - for dodging weigh stations in the middle of the night. He knew every mile marker from here to California and never needed a map. Larry was a hard headed Norwegian who never gave up and passed this onto his children. He was a devoted husband and father who enjoyed his family always around him. He had a wealth of knowledge for all of us. He never met a stranger and was always willing to give what he had to most anyone. He enjoyed checking the cows, ballgames and an afternoon nap. He was the hardest working man anyone would have ever met. He also enjoyed the Sale Barn, which was a weekly obsession, and never missed Swap Shop. He is survived by his wife, Starlene, of the home; a son, Lanny Gene Bortvit and his companion Derenda Lucas of Mansfield, Texas; five daughters, Lynette Ray Coleman and her companion Rex Pfister of Florida, Lachelle Dee Jenkins and her husband Deryll of Bolivar, Missouri, Lacinda Lee Ross and her husband Larry of Nixa, Missouri, LeAn Jill Gilden and her husband Kelly of Bolivar, Missouri, Lacey Jo Bortvit of Bolivar, Missouri, two brothers, Tom Bortvit and his wife Becky of Branson, Missouri, Darryl Bortvit of Cathedral City, California, 12 grandchildren, Mark Carter, Mikel & Shelby Coleman, Taryn Pfister, Christopher & Stephen Jenkins, Michael & Matthew Stillings, Joseph Ross, Justine Chastain, Aubri Bortvit and Aiden Bortvit-Charles and one great grandson, Marc Anacan-Carter. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers; Benny and John, three sisters; Barbara, Lois and Norma, one grandson; Matthew Carter, a granddaughter; Sydney Rose Bortvit, and a nephew; Mike Bortvit. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, December 12, 2008 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri with Reverend Gray Nordan officiating. Musical selections will be "Roll On" by Alabama, "Drive" by Alan Jackson and "Hero" by Mariah Carey. Burial will follow at New Bethel Cemetery south of Halfway, Missouri. Pallbearers will be Jay Williams, Pat McCall, Dave Stillings, Mark Carter, Michael Stillings and Matt Horn. A visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 pm prior to service time on Friday at the funeral home. Friends and family may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Larry Gene Bortvit

March 15, 1941 - December 9, 2008