Albert Lawrence 'Larry' Wrenn Jr., 53

Albert Lawrence "Larry" Wrenn Jr., 53, of Kalispell, died Thursday, May 7, 2009, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He was born April 9, 1956, in Havre, to Lois Blair (Butterfield) Wrenn and Albert Lawrence Wrenn Sr. He attended elementary and high school in Havre, joining the U.S. Army in 1975. While serving in Ohio, he married his first wife, Carla, and to that union was born one son, Carl Jason Wrenn. The couple later divorced.

For many years after leaving the military, Al traveled the country with his beloved Doberman, "Red." He married the love of his life, Becky (Rebecca Grossmann Wrenn) on June 26, 1999, and he credited Becky for saving his sanity. Their years together were the happiest of Al's life.

Al attended Flathead Valley Community College, was past president of FVCC's Veteran's Association and a member of Kalispell's American Legion Post.

Quick-witted and quick-tempered, Al was tender-hearted with a great sense of humor. He was passionate about his art and photography and was a military history enthusiast. He loved family, friends, children and animals. Gardening with his wife Becky and making homemade wines were two of Al's favorite pasttimes.

Al was happiest in the great outdoors. Wild deer often followed him on his nightly security rounds at Glacier National Park. While working summers in Yellowstone Park, he gained the nickname "The Elk Whisperer" from fellow Yellowstone staff. Al later worked as a delivery driver and sales representative for High Country Linen until deteriorating health forced him to resign last year.

Al was preceded in death by his mother; and an aunt, Margaret "Peggy" Knapp.

He is survived by wife, Becky, of Kalispell; stepsons, Benjamin Grossmann of Stillwater, Okla., and Gabriel Grossmann of Columbia Falls; son, Carl Jason Wrenn, of Ohio; sisters, Lita and Wayne Thisselle of Havre, and Laura and Kelly Steen of Kinsey; brother, Richard, and Barbara Wrenn, of Milton, Fla.; father, Albert, and Kim Wrenn Sr., of Lisbon, Maine; half brother, Patrick, and Becky Wrenn of River Falls, Wis.; uncle and aunt, Richard and Laurel Knapp, of Havre; numerous nieces and nephews; and a multitude of beloved friends from around the world.

A memorial honoring Al's life will be held June 27 at Kalispell's rural Birch Grove Community Center, starting at 3 p.m. A potluck barbecue picnic will follow.