Former Minnesota Department of Veteran’s Affairs Commissioner Larry Herke has Died

(KNSI) — Former Minnesota Department of Veteran’s Affairs Commissioner Larry Herke has died.

In a statement, Retired Colonel Larry Herke was appointed as the 18th Commissioner of MDVA in January 2019 by Governor Tim Walz and reappointed in January 2023 to a second term. Herke took a medical retirement in 2023 due to an ALS diagnosis.

According to his obituary, he died on Friday, September 13th, at the age of 61. Herke was originally from Iowa and served in the U.S. Army and the Minnesota National Guard for over 30 years before retiring. In his retirement from the service, he became the Director of the Minnesota Office of Enterprise Sustainability, focusing on reducing the state government’s use of energy, water, and production of solid waste. As commissioner of the MDVA, he promoted new approaches to end veteran homelessness and expanded access to state veteran’s homes.

Herke was also a Board Member of the Minnesota Military and Veteran’s Museum, an Assistant Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America, and a member of the Grey Eagle United Methodist Church, VFW, AMVETS, Jewish War Vets, and the American Legion, where he was a Life Member.

Current MDVA Commissioner Brad Lindsay issued a statement saying, “We send our deepest condolences to Commissioner Herke’s family and express our gratitude for his service to Minnesota Veterans and their families. He was a dedicated public servant who spread his passion for improving the lives of our Veterans to all who worked alongside him.”

Rockville area Senator Jeff Howe, who is a veteran himself, also issued a statement about Herke’s passing. “I am disheartened to learn of the passing of Larry Herke, who I considered a family friend and who was a dedicated public servant and lifelong advocate for our Veterans. COL(R) Herke served our country for over 30 years in the Army and Minnesota National Guard. After his military retirement, he continued his service to Minnesota as the Director of the Office of Enterprise Sustainability and later as the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs.

I had the privilege of working alongside Larry on numerous initiatives to improve the lives of Veterans in our state. His leadership, commitment, and passion for serving others will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who knew him. May he rest in peace.”

Herke’s visitation is set for Friday, September 20th, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., and the funeral service will be from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Both are at Grey Eagle United Methodist Church.

___