Over 30 years of ministry in South Dakota

Fr. Larry Rucker, 80, died Sunday, July 13, in Brookfield, Wis. (suburban Milwaukee). In recent weeks the SCJ had been hospitalized for internal bleeding and related complications, which led to his death.

Born in New York State, Fr. Larry professed first vows in 1953 and was ordained in 1966.

Fr. Larry’s first assignment after ordination was at St. Joseph’s parish in Cherry, Creek, SD; he continued ministry in South Dakota for almost 30 years.

Following that first year at Cherry Creek, Fr. Larry did ministry at All Saints Church in Eagle Butte, St. Martin in Murdo and Sacred Heart in Dupree.

In 1983 he moved to Sioux Falls and began a 12-year commitment to the Kateri Indian Center, where he ministered not only to the area’s Native American community but also to the nearby hospital and prison.

In 1996 he headed south to serve at St. Joseph parish in Holly Springs, Miss., until his retirement in 2001.

Fr. Larry was a member of the Sacred Heart Community at SHML with residence at the Congregational Home.

Besides his fellow SCJs, Fr. Larry is survived by his sister Ann Hopkins of Beacon Falls CT, and his brother, Gerald Rucker, of Orchard Park, NY.

Funeral services are pending but will be held at Good Shepherd Chapel at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake.