Larry J. Teppo

Larry J. Teppo October 19, 1942 - November 14, 2025

Larry James Teppo, age 83, of St. Paul, passed away suddenly but peacefully on November 14, 2025. He was born in Superior, Wisconsin. Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Terho and Violette Teppo; three brothers, Terry, Brian, and Kevin; and two sisters, Carol and Debbie.

Larry was a lifelong musician, playing drums and singing from his teens onward. He began performing in high school. He played in clubs around the Superior/Duluth area during college and worked on the Grand Ole Opry tours around Wisconsin. In 1969, he started working in the Twin Cities and continued as a full-time musician until 1973 when he started working on the weekends for parties and weddings. After retirement he worked with an ‘80s band and was part of a comedy group called Ole and the Ice Scrapers, for which he wrote the song lyrics. Larry also played for his church, Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Larry attended Wisconsin State University in Superior, Wisconsin where he earned degrees in chemistry, physics and math. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1967-1969 in Germany as a nuclear weapons officer, he attended the University of Minnesota to complete classes for computer programming.

Larry worked at Trestman Music Company from 1973-1979. He started working at the St. Paul Companies/Travelers as a computer systems analyst and remained there until his retirement after 26 years. 

Larry was a kind man with a great sense of humor. He loved a good pun and Finnish jokes. He embraced new experiences, loved to travel and loved good food.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda; children, Lars (Kym), Noel, Jessica (Mike), Nathan (Danielle), and Eugene Wyatt; grandchildren, Kai, Aila, Liliana, James, Madison, McKynzie, Mariah, and Micahlynn; brother, Bruce (Beth); and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities on June 26, 2026, with visitation at 9:30 a.m., the service at 10:30 a.m., and burial at Fort Snelling at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Twin Cities Musicians Union designated to either the Welfare Fund or Young Musicians Scholarship Fund.