Larry Rydell

Larry Wayne Rydell, 75, of Taylor died on the morning of Wednesday, February 8, 2012.
Larry was born in Taylor on June 29, 1936 to Gunnar and Irene Rydell.

He attended Taylor public schools, lettering in four varsity sports. He graduated in 1954, and continued his education at the University of Arkansas, where he was a member of the Razorback freshman basketball team. He later transferred to Southwestern University, where he played basketball and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.

His love of history and sports led Larry to a teaching and coaching career in La Feria, Harlingen, Angleton, Hutto, and ultimately Taylor, where he retired in 1995.

A descendant of Swedish immigrants, Larry was proud of his heritage and was an active member of the VASA Order of America, a Swedish-American fraternal, cultural and educational organization.

Larry was dedicated to his community, having served on the Hutto School Board, the Taylor Conservation and Heritage Society, and the Williamson County Historical Commission. He also volunteered for Taylor Meals on Wheels.

He was a lifetime member of Hutto Lutheran Church, where he was baptized on August 30, 1936 and confirmed on September 10, 1950. Larry would later serve his church in roles as varied as usher, liturgist, church councilman, and member of various church committees.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Gunnar and Irene; brothers Gunnar Weldon and Donald Ray; son Jason Matthew; and grandson Gunnar Matthew.

He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Joann Burruss Rydell.

Larry is survived by his wife of 46 years, Darlene Hildebrandt Rydell of Taylor; son Lance, daughter-in-law Catharena, and granddaughters Katie and Alison of Taylor; son Brandt, daughter-in-law Julie, granddaughters Matilda, Dagny, and Ursula, and grandson August of Taylor.

He is also survived by his mother-in-law Hazel Huber of Houston, sister-in-law Faye Rydell and her friend Bill Beard of Mansfield, sister-in-law Carol Conrad and her husband Ray of Hutto, brother-in-law Greg Huber and his wife Bea of San Antonio, brother-in-law Keith Huber of Houston, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, February 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 11, at 3:00 PM at Hutto Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Hutto Lutheran Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be Eric Johnson, Kurt Johnson, Rodney Johnson, Tommy Johnson, David Krueger, and Ted Reese.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jason Rydell Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Taylor ISD, 400 West 7th Street, Taylor, Texas 76574 or Hutto Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 279, Hutto, Texas 78634.