Larry Datta

Larry John Datta, 72, was called home to the Lord on February 12, 2017.


Larry was born November 29, 1944, in Beach, ND, a son of Phillip and Cecilia (Piesik) Datta. He was a 1963 graduate of the Wibaux County High School and attended Dawson Junior College, where he was a key member of the basketball team before enlisting in the US Navy. Larry served 4 years and 1 tour of duty in Vietnam as a member of the United States Naval Construction Forces (Seabees). After Larry’s tour in Vietnam he returned to California where he was married to Cheryl Housman on February 8, 1969. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Wibaux with his wife and son, where he was employed by the Wibaux Co-op Elevator. Larry’s family was his life, so much that in 1997 he moved from Wibaux to Minot, ND to be closer to his two daughters and grandchildren. During his time in Minot he worked as a driver for the Minot Daily News. While living in Minot Larry’s main focus was his grandchildren; he loved building boats and castles out of cardboard for them to play in. You could always find him on the floor crawling around like a bear with one of them on his back. He could never say no to spending time with any of his grandchildren. In 2006 Larry returned to his home town of Wibaux, MT. Retired at the time of his return to Wibaux, he shared a home with his brother Frank Datta where he lived until he passed away.


Larry was not only a devoted family man, whose family was his life, but also a man of many talents and facets. An accomplished woodworker, Larry crafted fine birdhouses for his family and friends and liked nothing more than woodworking with his grandchildren. He was a master jerry-rigger and was generous with sharing his time and talents with others. Gardening and the outdoors was a great passion of Larry’s. Teach a man to garden and the whole neighborhood gets tomatoes, squash and cucumbers. That would pretty much sum up the generosity that Larry would show with his harvest. When he wasn’t woodworking or gardening, he was cooking or baking, Larry was a master at making Christmas candies, that he shared with many, canning many of the veggies from his garden and making jelly out of every berry the sun could produce.


You could always find Larry using his quick wit and sharing laughter at the card table where he would never turn down a game of pinochle; a love he shared with his children. Pinochle was played at every family gathering, holiday and even while waiting for the fish to bite. Larry was an avid sports lover but enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves the most.


Larry is survived by his son, Tim Datta of Missoula, MT; his two daughters, Arron (LRoy) Turnquist of Minot, ND and Kaci (Robert) Kiedrowski of Wibaux, MT; his grandchildren, Ashley (Jacob) Gould of Watford City, ND, Blake and Avery Putnam, Keyonna and Kendra Kiedrowski; his sister, Mary (Marvin) Christianson of Shelby, MT, his brother, Frank Datta of Wibaux, MT and his brother-in-law Tody (Ruby) Tennant of Wibaux, MT; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins that played an important role in Larry’s life.


He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rosemary Tennant and sister-in-law, Lynda Datta.


Cremation has taken place under the direction of Stevenson Funeral Home, memorial services will be held at a later date.


Burial Date: February 12, 2017