Larry passed away on October 20th 2026 at Hospice House in Rapid City SD. He was born July 9th 1940 in Sheridan Wyoming to Raymond Lloyd Amende and Jessie Louise Amende.
He had seven siblings…Virgina Amende, Dennis Amende (Rita), Melvin Amede (Muriel), Nancy Gould (Gordon), Carole Elshire (Richard) and Bruce Amende (Lorraine).
His four grandchildren are Adam Amende (Hillary), Ashley Amende, Synjen Amende, and Sawyer Amende. He had 3 Great Grandchildren, Jade Amende, Sadie Amende and Josephine Amende.
He was preceded in death by his wife Karen Faye Amende, Parents, Raymond Lloyd and Jessica Louise Amende, siblings Virgina, Melvin and Bruce.
Larry was born July 9th1940 to Raymond Lloyd and Jessica Louise Amende at the Sheridan WY hospital. He began his life on the family ranch in Clearmont WY. A natural horseman, he could always be found working with a project horse or team. The family moved from the Clearmont WY ranch to a sheep-cattle operation in the Hammond MT area. He attended the local school yet quit to help at the ranch full time when he was in the 8th grade. During his time there he took various construction and heavy equipment operator jobs.
During this time he met Karen Faye Nelson of Lemmon SD at a Boyes Hall dance. They were married in 1960, and two sons Scott Alan Amende (Powderville MT) and Robbie Lynn Amende (Jennifer) Florence AZ were produced out of this union.
Larry took a ranch job on the WL Ranch in Powderville MT. (Son, Scott, is now the manager of the WL). He left the WL in 1974 and moved to Broadus MT where he was employed by Stabio Construction. He started Amende Construction a few years later and had that for several years.
He was always working with horses and driving teams as that was his true passion. He was heavily involved in the Wagon Train Society and was a director with the Powder River Wagon Train Co. He could always be found driving his team or going to a wagon train or parade through the Tri state area. One of his greatest adventures was going on a wild horse roundup with his uncle Walt in WY.
Larry was a volunteer fireman for the Powder River County fire department. He was actively involved in the Custers Last Stand reenactments as well as a participant in the Great Cattle drive of “89” celebrating Montana’s Centennial. He was an active member of the Old West Cowboy Shooters society as well as an honorary lifetime member of the Montana Range Riders.
He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
Upon his request cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time.
Arrangements have been entrusted to West River Funeral Directors in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest register and leave written condolences at westriverfd.com
May your horse never stumble, and your spurs never rust.
Rest in peace “Cowboy”
