Larry James Dorsch was born on September 19, 1945 in Tecumseh, Nebraska, to parents Carl and Hazel (Hedges) Dorsch. He was the youngest of seven boys and was welcomed home by his brothers Leonard, Harold, Darrel, Robert and Richard. Another brother, Wayne, died in infancy.

As a young boy, Larry lived in the rural Johnson County area and attended Tecumseh Public Schools. When he was in the 8th grade, his family moved to a farm northwest of Auburn and Larry attended Auburn Public Schools. During his sophomore year of high school, at a gathering at “Pecker’s Knob”, Larry was introduced to Connie Rohrs. The two hit it off and Larry borrowed a friend’s car to take Connie riding around with him in Auburn. From that night on, Larry would give Connie a ride to school each day and in exchange, Connie would do Larry’s homework for him. Larry and Connie were married at the Nemaha County Courthouse by Judge Fred Rothert on December 31, 1963. They would become parents to Lori and Paula, and the family would grow to include two sons-in-law, four grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Larry worked at D&M Produce delivering eggs, cream and other farm produce. He was later employed by Northern Propane and then at Triangle Pacific. The couple, with two little girls at their side, pooled their talents and began doing upholstery work out of their garage while both were employed full-time. Eventually the business outgrew their small garage and in 1976 they purchased the old hatchery building on the west edge of Auburn and founded Needle’s I Upholstery. The couple, who married young and had much more love in their hearts than money in their pockets, worked hand-in-hand to build their lives and their business together. In 1980, they built their home just down the road from the shop and nurtured not only their two girls and grandkids there, but welcomed many of Lori and Paula’s friends as well as their own extended family and friends. The Dorsch home was a second home to many over the years. Larry and Connie celebrated 61 years of marriage and both still worked together every day operating Needle’s I in a spirit of true love and teamwork. Larry looked forward to his daily visits at work from his best buddy Charlie, always ready to share a snack.

In his early years, Larry could be found riding and racing motorcycles and even taught Connie how to ride. He loved stock cars and street rods and spent countless hours restoring many vehicles over the years. His favorite restoration was converting a 1965 Chevelle dragster into a school car with and for Paula. At the time of his passing, Larry was in the process of restoring a 1923 Model T. Larry spent many hours at Tushla Field during the American Legion baseball season, keeping the scoreboard while his good friend, Dale Thomas, announced the games. Larry was a member of the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad for many years and also a member of the Sons of the American Legion and Eagle’s Club. He was an avid fisherman, fishing in numerous tournaments with the Missouri River Catfish Club. Larry, along with Lori, Paula, son-in-law Tim and grandsons TJ and Zach enjoyed an annual fishing trip to many different lakes and rivers to test their fishing prowess. Larry made many good friends on those excursions and tournaments.

A cause near and dear to Larry’s heart was that of our country’s POW/MIA. Larry’s brother, Leonard, served in the Korean War and was at first listed as being missing or killed in action. Later it was found that he had actually been taken prisoner by Chinese soldiers, but was never listed as interred in a prison camp. His remains have never been recovered. In the late 1990s, Larry had blood DNA testing done at the request of the Pentagon in the event that Leonard’s remains would ever be found. He and Connie made several trips to Washington DC on behalf of the many POW/ MIA families throughout the nation.

On Sunday, March 23rd, Larry, Connie and several family members enjoyed lunch and were anticipating a shopping trip to Bass Pro when Larry suddenly became extremely ill and collapsed. Rescue units were summoned and he was taken to Jennie Edmundson Hospital where he passed away several hours later with his beloved Connie, and both girls and their families at his bedside.

Preceding Larry in death were his parents, all six of his brothers as well as Connie’s parents, Fern Mueller and her husband Glen, and Lloyd Rohrs. He is survived by the same girl that he took cruising through Auburn so many years ago, Connie; Daughters Lori (Tim) Hager and Paula Oestmann, both of Auburn; Grandchildren Lindsey Hager (Tony Pope) of Auburn, TJ Hager of Auburn, Zachary Oestmann (Chloe) of Virginia, IL and Mackenzie Oestmann (Ben Dwerlkotte) of Atlantic, IA; great-grandson Landon Hager of Auburn; former son-in-law Lonnie Oestmann of Auburn; sister-in-law Rhonda (John) Ferneau of Lincoln, and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A funeral service was held Friday, March 28, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Jackie Gfeller. Serving as casket bearers were Zachary (Zachy) Oestmann, Timothy James (T.J.) Hager, Ben (Benny Boy) Dwerlkotte, Ryan (Ryno) Thomas, Jack Best, Jason Ferneau, Lonnie Oestmann, and Dennis Kahler. Honorary bearers were Dennis Blount, Lloyd Buchmeier, Dennis McConnell, Mark Liertz, Gary Mounce, Tim Hager, Landon Hager, and the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad. Burial followed in Sheridan Cemetery at Auburn.

Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.