WYNOT — Larry Lee Driver, 90, Wynot, died Nov. 1, 2025, at Park View Haven Nursing Home, Coleridge, while surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be Nov. 5, at 10:30 a.m., at Holy Family (Sacred Heart) Catholic Church, Wynot. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wynot, with military rites by the Wynot American Legion Post #31. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Jesse Noecker, Dylan Driver, Derek Driver, Jack Kuchta, Will Driver, Tucker Hochstein and Jacob Hochstein. Honorary pallbearers will be the rest of Larry and Joann’s grandchildren. Visitation and a vigil service were Tuesday at church, and will continue one hour prior to services Wednesday. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.

Larry Lee was born Aug. 23, 1935, in Lindy, to Arthur and Ellen (McFarland) Driver. He grew up in the St. James area and attended elementary school there. Larry remembered that when he was growing up they didn’t have electricity until he was 9 or 10 years old, along with no phone service during his high school years. He graduated from Wynot High School in 1953. Larry worked at Gavin’s Point Dam for a while before he married JoAnn A. Schroeder Oct. 6, 1958. Larry joined the U.S. Army and served for two years. Shortly after, JoAnn went to Germany and stayed with him during his service. Upon receiving his honorary discharge, he returned to farm with his brother, Darrel, and his dad until 1970. Larry and JoAnn moved into Wynot in 1968. When Larry stopped farming, he was involved with the insurance industry, mainly working crop and hail insurance until he retired.

Larry was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He spent a lot of time helping his dad on the farm along with welding in the shop. He loved sports of all kinds but especially college basketball. In his younger years, he played on the town team and once scored 55 points in one game. Larry was a strong supporter of Wynot sports through the years. He loved to travel, gamble and go bumming with his wife. He also took the time to take the grandkids on trips to Adventure Land. Larry loved his wife, children and grandchildren very much.

Larry is survived by his wife JoAnn, Wynot; six children, Todd (Betty) Driver, Battle Creek; Scott (Sue) Driver, Minden; Brent (Karla) Driver, Wynot; Cindy (Jay) Hochstein, Lincoln; Rochelle (Dave) Noecker, Hartington; Gina Driver, Wynot; 24 grandchildren, Amanda Fodness, Abbie Weidner, Will Driver, Derek Driver, Sheila Lane, Adam Driver, Craig Driver, Dylan Driver, Austin Driver, Whitney Lozos, Olivia Orwig, Emily Orwig, Kayla Studebaker, Kristen Hochstein, Tucker Hochstein, Jacob Hochstein, Jesse Noecker, Beau Noecker, Riley Noecker, Reggan Sedlacek, Nicolette Koch, Bailey Allen, Carissa Kleinschmit and Jack Kuchta; 34 greatgrandchildren; two siblings, Wanda Branson, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Dennis (Jan) Driver, Altoona, Iowa; brother-in-law, Roger Schwartz, Hartington; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Ellen Driver; greatgrandson, Porter Noecker; sisters, Phyllis Schwartz and Shirley Gowery; brother, Darrel Driver; and in-laws, Carolyn Driver, Harley Gowery and Bill Branson.