Lawrence "Larry" Benedict Matcha, 96, of East Grand Forks, MN, passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks, ND.

Larry was born on November 9, 1921 in Grafton, ND to Thomas and Frances (Kotrba) Matcha. Larry grew up and attended school in Grafton, ND. In 1942 he joined the United States Army and served his country until 1945. He served in the campaigns of Tunisia, Southern France, Rhineland and Central Europe.

On May 22, 1947 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Pender in East Grand Forks, MN. He worked for Rydell Chevrolet in Grand Forks and later worked for the East Grand Forks Public Schools as a custodian and school bus driver for many years before retiring in 1985.

Larry is survived by his children, Catherine (Harold) Mendenhall of Brookville, OH, Deborah Hearn of East Grand Forks, MN and Leslie (Edward) Solarski of Grand Forks, ND; 9 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy; two brothers, George and Charles; two sisters, Henrietta and Rosie; son-in-law, Lee Hearn and a granddaughter, Amy Lynn.

Funeral Service: 11:00 AM on Monday, January 15, 2018 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 200 3rd St. NW, East Grand Forks, MN.

Visitation: One Hour Prior Funeral Service on Monday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church.