Larry Lee Torrence, 77, of Flandreau, SD passed away peacefully at Avera Flandreau Hospital on July 25, 2016.  Larry was born August 2, 1938 in Des Moines, IA, to Aber Lee and Freda Sarah Ann (Scott) Torrence.  Larry graduated from Ankeny High School in Ankeny, IA in 1956. He attended college at Iowa State University.  Larry began working for the Iowa Department of Transportation shortly out of high school and retired from there in 2010 after 52 years of service.  On June 7, 1959 Larry married Marjorie Loraine Mash in Dallas Center, IA and they were married for 27 years.  On December 5, 1987 Larry married Terri Clark in Adel, IA and they were married for 25 years. Larry loved hunting, fishing, and trapping.  From an early age, Larry taught himself how to play the guitar by ear.  He went on to play at the Grand Ole Opry in Des Moines, IA, for the likes of Buck Owens, Ferlin Husky and many more.  He was known in the Des Moines area as "The Stringmaster".  He went on to form a band with his close friend, "Larry Torrence - Kenny Newman the Stringmasters". Larry also enjoyed breeding and raising game cocks. Larry moved to Riverview Manor Nursing Home, in Flandreau, SD on January 22, 2013.  He enjoyed interacting with the staff and participating in a variety of musical programs.  He loved that he was able to put a microphone back in his hands and was happy to sing for the staff and residents there.

Larry is survived by his 4 children, Jill (Paul) Scherff of Trent, SD; Bill Torrence of Madison, SD; Jenny (Jason) Shirk of Montezuma, IA; and Matthew Torrence of Des Moines, IA; 8 grandchildren, Amanda (Dana), Michael, Shane (Cindy), Brandon (Sammi), Kylee (Daniel), Emily, Weston, and Shelby; 4 great-grandchildren, Cody (Linzee), Taylor, KodaKae, and Blaine; and 1 great-great granddaughter, Chloee; 4 siblings, Kathleen Torrence of Murray, KY; Jeannine Guthrie of Omaha, NE; Ronald (Rose) Torrence of Gold Beach, OR; and Nadine Torrence of Des Moines, IA; 10 nieces and nephews, Paul, Nikki, Sonya, Tony, Mark, Vanessa, Brandon, JR, Kourtney, and Shawn.  Larry was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and Uncle's Glen, Ray and Claude Scott and Merle and Betty Torrence.

A celebration of Larry's life will be announced at a later time. All who knew Larry loved him and will miss him. Until we meet again…

" Turn out the lights, the party's over. They say all good things must end.  Call it a night, the party's over.  And tomorrow starts the same old thing again." ~Willie Nelson.