WICHITA - Larry Keith Yaeger, 75, of Wichita, died June 13, 2012, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice after a two-year battle with cancer.

He was born July 18, 1936, on a farm in Ness County, the only child of Fred and Elnora Yaeger.

He graduated from Ness City High School. He met Mary Jane Britain, who was teaching in the rural school near his home, and they were married on June 1, 1954, at Strong City. They moved to Dodge City where they both worked and raised their two sons.

Larry retired from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in 1992, and they moved to Gunnison, Colo., where they planned to spend their retirement years, but health issues made it necessary to move closer to medical facilities and they chose Hutchinson.

Later, after Mary Jane's death on Jan. 19, 2011, he moved to Wichita to be closer to his family.

He is survived by: his sons, Brad (Janice) Yaeger of Wichita and Bruce (Linda) Yaeger of Lafayette, Colo.; grandchildren, Justin (Sarah) Yaeger, Beth (Kyle) Masterson, and Matt Yaeger, all of Wichita, Mandi (Sam) Walker and Mike Yaeger of Colorado; great-grandchildren, Caleb and Carson Yaeger, Braeden Masterson and Cloey Yaeger; and his special friend, Orrinne Winsor. Larry was preceded in death by his wife of almost 57 years; his parents, Fred and Elnora Yaeger; and Mary Jane's parents, Wilfred and Grace Harder Britain.

Cremation has taken place.

Parish rosary will be 7 p.m. Thursday, June 14, 2012, and Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 15, 2012, both held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 3636 N. Ridge Road, Wichita, with Father Daniel J. Spexarth presiding.

A private family inurnment will be held at a later date in St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery at Strong City.

Memorial contributions may be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.