LARSEN, Homer A., Rev. 1924-2015
LARSEN, CARLSEN
Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 11/25/2015 at 13:10:39
Rev. Homer Larsen
March 31, 1924 - May 17, 2015
The Rev. Homer A. Larsen, 91, died Sunday, May 17, 2015, at NewAldaya Lifescapes, Cedar Falls.
He was born on March 31, 1924, in Westbrook, Maine, the only child of John and Lena Jensen Larsen.
In 1941 Homer left his beloved state of Maine to attend Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. While at Dana, he met Eunice Carlsen. They were married in 1947 and celebrated 65 years of marriage before her death in 2013. Homer always considered Eunice his partner in life and ministry. Following college, Homer attended Trinity Theological Seminary and Luther Theological Seminary.
On June 20, 1948, he was ordained as a pastor in the United Evangelical Lutheran Church. Following his ordination, Pastor Larsen served St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa.
In 1953 he became the pastor of Nazareth Lutheran Church, Cedar Falls, where he served until his retirement in 1996. He loved Nazareth, and while there enjoyed many exciting years of growth, new ministries, several building programs, and countless changed lives.
In 1984 Pastor Larsen received an honorary Doctor of Ministry from Wartburg College in recognition of his excellent work in ministry. Pastor Larsen was also the preacher for Christian Crusaders Radio and Internet Broadcast from 1962 until 2013. Christian Crusaders is the seventh longest running radio ministry in the country.
Pastor Larsen served the Lutheran Church on several state and national boards. For over 50 years, he was involved in the Cedar Falls Bible Conference. Pastor Larsen loved his relationships with other Christians in evangelical churches where he often worshipped and preached.
Pastor Larsen was dedicated to serving his community. He served on many committees and board of directors including Midway Bank & Trust, National Bank of Waterloo, Allen Memorial Hospital, Cedar Falls Community Schools and the Cedar Falls Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Cedar Falls Rotary Club and the Symposium Club. In 1973 he was chosen the Cedar Falls Representative Citizen of the Year. He was a Waterloo Courier Eight Over 80 recipient in 2011.
Homer enjoyed playing golf well into his 80s. Ever the sports fan, he followed his favorite teams including the Boston Red Sox and the UNI football and basketball teams.
Pastor Larsen was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Eunice. He was her primary caretaker after a debilitating stroke 18 years before her death. He is survived by his three children, Natalie (Bob) Gehringer of Menasha, Wis., John (Laurie) Larsen of Cedar Falls and Julie (Steve) Kramer of Lakeland, Minn.; seven grandchildren, Lea Gehringer, Dane (Lauren) Gehringer, Tim (Elizabeth) Larsen, Mark (Ericka) Larsen, Sarah Larsen, Sam (Kari) Kramer and Martha (Andrew) Dinndorf; and two great-grandchildren, Ben and Greta Gehringer.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 22, at Nazareth Lutheran Church, with burial in Fairview Cemetery, both in Cedar Falls. Visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at Nazareth Lutheran Church Chapel, Cedar Falls. Visitation also one hour before service Friday in the church sanctuary.
Memorials may be directed to Nazareth Lutheran Church, Christian Crusaders, NewAldaya Lifescapes, Western Home or Cedar Falls Bible Conference Grounds.
Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.
“You are a precious and important child of God.”
Source: Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home
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