Steven Orlyn LARSON

Notes:

Buried:
pneumonia

Notes:

Luther Kalmer Larson, 91, most recently of Field Crest Care Center, died Oct. 20, 2008 at Season's Hospice in Rochester, Minn.

He was a devoted and loving husband, supportive and encouraging father and grandfather, and a faithful, devoted member of Evanger Lutheran Church.

Luther was born to Lewis and Sophia (Starks) Larson at their rural Dexter home on March 6, 1917. Luther was baptized and confirmed in Evanger Lutheran Church where he remained a lifetime member, except for a short period of time during World War II. In his youth, Luther loved to hunt, fish, trap and ride his horse, Beauty. He passed these passions on to his boys, as he continued to hunt and fish throughout his life.

Luther was united in marriage to Opal Sylva Spiten on Nov. 10, 1939 at the parsonage in Hayfield. When they were first married, they spent a short time living in Austin, and then moved to Seattle, Wash. for the war cause during World War II. Luther worked as a welder in the shipyards while residing in Seattle. He returned to Larson farm when his father was injured in an accident and needed help running the farm. Luther and Opal lived out their lives on the Larson family farm, eventually purchasing it from his father. Luther also worked as a welder, mechanic, truck driver, shop foreman and Mower County maintenance superintendent for many years while maintaining his farm. Luther continued to live on the farm for two winters after Opal passed away in 2003, and then he moved to Crest View Villa in 2005.

During his retirement years, Luther loved to raise fruit, vegetables and flowers. He especially enjoyed raising gladiolus, which won numerous awards at shows and fairs. He also enjoyed delivering his gladiola floral arrangements throughout the community as spontaneous gifts, as well as his homemade jams and jellies. Luther also loved birds. His feeders were attended every morning, and he kept a log of when they arrived in the spring and left in the fall. The winter birds had a heated bird bath and drinking water. I'm sure they have missed him the last three years, as we will miss him in the future.
Luther and Opal were both proud of their Norwegian heritage, frequently flying a Norwegian flag on their farm and thoroughly enjoying a couple of trips to visit relatives in Norway. They also looked forward to preparing lutefisk and lefse at Evanger lutefisk suppers.

Throughout his life Luther served his community in countless ways. He was continuously active in his church, Sargeant Township positions and as Mower County Commissioner from 1957-1969. Luther, also being passionately interested in the schools, served on the District 91 school board and was elected to the State School Board Association representing the First District. He was president of the Friends of Minnesota Schools and acted as a lobbyist in the state legislature for six years on their behalf. Luther participated in the local 4-H organization as an adult leader for many years. In addition, he was also enthusiastically involved in the original community plans for the Field Crest Care Center. Eventually he became the vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Elderly Housing Corporation which resulted in the construction of Crest View Villa.

Luther was preceded in death by father, Lewis; mother, Sophia; infant brother, Elliot; brother, Glen; 9-month-old son, Steven; two sisters: Sylvia Hunter and Helen Hull; and his wife, Opal.

Luther is survived by three sons: Gary Larson, Golden, Colo., Kenneth (Barbara) Larson, Bloomington, Minn., Roger (Sharon) Larson, Hayfield, Minn.; daughter, Lou Ann (Bob) Larson-Gaston, Lincoln, Neb. and seven grandchildren.

Luther married Opal Sylvia SPITEN. Opal (daughter of Gullik SPITEN and Emma Louise BUNGUM) was born on 1 Aug 1918 in Rock Dell Twp, Olmsted County, Minnesota; died on 11 Oct 2003 in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota; was buried in Evanger Lutheran Church Cemetery, Sargeant, Mower County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Opal Sylvia Larson, age 85, of rural Dexter, Minn., died Saturday evening, Oct. 11, 2003, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

She was born Aug. 1, 1918, in Rock Dell Township, Olmsted County, Minnesota, the daughter of Gullik and Emma (Bungum) Spiten.

Opal was baptized and confirmed in Evanger Lutheran Church and was a lifelong member, except for a short time during World War II. She was active in ladies aid, circle and choir at the church.

Opal was united in marriage to Luther Kalmer Larson on Nov. 10, 1939, at the parsonage in Hayfield, Minn. Luther and Opal continued to live on their family farm east of Sargeant.

Opal spent many years doing home decorating with LaVaine Linbo. They enjoyed visiting with their many friends. Opal enjoyed family gatherings, beauty shop appointments, going out to eat, crossword puzzles, flowers, birds, fishing and visiting with friends and neighbors and especially her sister, Pearl. Opal was well known for her delicious tapioca salad. Her favorite flower was the rose, but she spent lots of time helping Luther raise gladiolus, with which they won many awards and prizes at shows and fairs.

She is survived by her husband, Luther; three sons, Gary Larson of Golden, Colo.: Kenneth (Barbara) Larson of Bloomington, Minn.; and Roger (Sharon) Larson of Hayfield, Minn.; one daughter, Lou Ann (Bob) Larson-Gaston of Lincoln, Neb.; seven grandchildren; and one sister, Pearl Hanson of Austin, Minn.

She was preceded in death by one son, Steven Larson; four brothers, Gustav, Martin, Eddie and Sanford; and one sister, Martha Brekke.

Notes:

Or Louis.

Buried:
as Lewis Larson

Lewis married Sophia STARKS. Sophia was born on 19 Mar 1880; died on 11 Oct 1960; was buried in Evanger Lutheran Church Cemetery, Sargeant, Mower County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Gullik married Emma Louise BUNGUM. Emma was born on 26 Nov 1879 in Dodge County, Minnesota; died on 31 Jul 1968 in Hayfield, Dodge County, Minnesota; was buried in Evanger Lutheran Church Cemetery, Sargeant, Mower County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In the 1900 census, he was Philip Larson, a farmer in Sargeant Twp, Mower County, Minnesota.

Birth:
Find A Grave says 1844

Philip married Gertrude about 1875. Gertrude was born in May 1851 in Norway; died on 24 Apr 1926 in Mower County, Minnesota; was buried in Evanger Lutheran Church Cemetery, Sargeant, Mower County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In the 1900 census, she had had eight children, seven still living.

Birth:
Find A Grave says 14 Dec 1851

Buried:
As Gertrude L Mahle