Lawrence Weller, 85

Lawrence Dean "Larry" Weller of Albion, Wash., passed away April 13, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. He was 85 years old. 

Larry was born Dec. 23, 1940, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to Floyd and Margaret Weller. He graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1959 and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho in 1963. 

Following college, Larry proudly served as an officer in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1968, working as an air traffic controller — a profession he mastered through discipline and precision. 

In 1962, Larry married Nancy Tangen, and together they started a family. In 1968, he moved to Moscow, Idaho, where he began a long career at Washington State University. Over several decades, Larry made significant contributions to agricultural research. He was especially proud to be instrumental in submitting 26 research papers related to potato research and for his many years of dedication in the wheat breeding laboratory. 

After his first marriage ended in 1975, Larry later met and married his mate for life, Karen (Reisenauer). They eventually made their home in Albion, Wash., where they raised their combined four children with love, care and a passion for lifelong learning. 

Larry was a caring and generous man, known for his quirky and entertaining brand of humor, his brutal honesty, his strong moral character and his faith as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He had a tireless work ethic and a way of making people feel comfortable, often finding the silver lining in almost any situation. His love of the outdoors kept him in the woods, especially working the family ranch at Mica Flats, or tending to the bountiful garden and vibrant flowers surrounding his well-manicured lawn in Albion. Upon retiring from Washington State University, he mastered the craft of woodworking/carving, making countless priceless masterpieces, from a 6-foot-tall Bigfoot to 1-inch owls and coyotes made of deer antlers. Combined with his love of garnets, he created many pieces of jewelry and wood art that he gave to family and friends to be cherished by all. 

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Margaret Weller, and his grandsons, Wyatt and Garrett Weller.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Weller; his children, Michael, Benjamin and Matthew Weller, and Karen's son, George Hiatt, and their spouses; brother William (Betty) Weller, brother Clyde (Kay) Weller, sister Peggy (Jim) Geren, sister Diana (Neil) Peterson, one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law and their spouses; seven grandchildren and their spouses; and five great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews and great- to great-great-nieces and nephews and many cherished friends. Larry loved his family deeply and was immensely proud of every one of them. 

Dad would often say, “If I die today, I will die happy because I lived a good life.” Larry will be profoundly missed, but his legacy of love, laughter, integrity and hard work will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. 

Memorial services for friends and family will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at the Mica Flats Grange Hall, 7465 W. Kidd Island Road, near the Weller family ranch that he so dearly loved. Online condolences may be sent to www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com.