Lawrence "Larry" Otterson

Lawrence “Larry” Otterson, 94, of Fargo, passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Bethany on 42nd in Fargo.

Lawrence (Larry) Otterson was born February 20, 1932, to Alfred and Pearl Otterson in Dickinson, ND. During his school years he enjoyed playing baseball, basketball and running track. In basketball he had a mean hook shot, and held several school records. He also participated in school musicals and sang tenor. After high school he entered Dickinson State, and continued his basketball career. Midway through college, he joined the Army and served as a helicopter crew chief at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. He then returned and graduated from Dickinson State College with a degree in Education. He later received his Master’s Degree in School Administration at the University of North Dakota.

On June 11, 1961, he married the love of his life, Nancy Olson of Watford City, ND. They lived in Minot, ND while she attended college, and also spent years in Valley City, ND, and Glyndon, MN. They had two children, Scott and Lara, who were his pride and joy. They moved to Bismarck in 1969.

During his career he taught school for nine years, and coached basketball, track, football, and baseball. He enjoyed helping his players improve their skills. It was important for him to foster teamwork, play everyone, and build their confidence and character.

He was a high school administrator for 23 years, and was the first principal of Century High School, which opened in 1975 in Bismarck, ND. He remained there until he retired in 1989.

Larry continued working after retiring from his principalship, and worked as leader of ACT, a new program in Bismarck for first time alcohol and drug offenders, and as a member of North Dakota Council of School Administrators.

He was a lifetime member of the Elks, singing in the chorus. He joined the Rotary Club and served as president of the club in the late 1980’s. He also enjoyed singing in various church choirs for over fifty years.

After retiring, Larry and Nancy moved to Detroit Lakes. They loved lake life, and enjoyed times spent there with friends and family. They moved to Fargo in 2009.

For relaxation, Larry worked on restoring classic cars, including Model A Fords and a 1967 Ford Mustang convertible. He was a member of the Model A Ford Club of America and the Model A Restorers’ Club.

To know Larry, was to know a kind man who valued others and enjoyed seeing them develop. This is one of the reasons he chose to enter the field of education. Above all, Larry loved and cherished his wife, kids, and grandkids.

Larry is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, his children Scott (Pandora) of Clinton Township, Michigan, and Lara (Steve) Maul, of West Fargo, North Dakota, and grandchildren Jared, and Erica (Jake) Funk.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Pearl, his brothers, Milton and Roger, and his sister Dolores Detrixhe.

Celebration of Life:  10 a.m., Monday, July 20, 2026, at West Funeral Home in West Fargo.

Visitation: An hour before the service.

Interment: Fargo National Cemetery, rural Harwood, ND.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

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