John Lewis Larson (1857-1931)

LARSON, ELLERTSON, VOLDEN, NELSON, WILLSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 7/5/2024 at 17:14:16

From Story City Herald October 15, 1931 (page 8)

Obituary of J. L. Larson

John Lewis Larson was born in Farsund, Norway, in April, 1857. His parents were Lars M. and Helena Larson. He came to America in 1883 and lived for two years at Milwaukee, Wis. Since then he has lived in Story and Hamilton counties, except for five years which he spent at Gary, S. D. Four years ago he moved from Jewell to Randall, where he passed away.

Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Anna Ellertson March 16, 1883, at Knivsland schoolhouse southwest of Jewell by Rev. Mikkelson. Eight children have been born to this union and all are living to mourn the death of their dear father. They are Alfred Larson of Elmore, Minn., Mrs. E. J. Volden of Morris, Minn., Gerhard of Eagle Grove, Julius of Frost, Minn., Howard of Morris, Minn., Mrs. Martin Nelson and Miss Gertrude Larson of Randall and Vernon of Frost, Minn. He is also survived by his wife, a half sister, Mrs. J. W. Willson of Minneapolis, ten grandchildren, and many other relatives.

The departed was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in Norway. The family was received into membership of the Bethesda church in Jewell January 25, 1914. Here he retained his membership until he death.

The weakness of old age together with complications which set in a year ago caused his health to fail. The last few months he lost strength rapidly. At one thirty o'clock Monday afternoon, Oct. 5, he died, being 74 years, 5 months and 17 days. old.

Funeral services were held in Randall Wednesday at 12:30, and at Bethesda Lutheran church in Jewell at one o'clock. Rev. G. O. Paulsrud had charge of the service at the home, where he also sang a solo. Mrs. John O. Johnson also sang at the home. The service at the church was in charge Rev. Carl Opsahl and Rev. Paulsrud, who also sang a vocal selection. Further music was given by Mrs. Johnson and a vocal duet by Mrs. L. M. Jacobson and Mrs. Roy Rasmussen, Mrs. Harry Harman accompanying.

The pall bearers were K. Lear, Amos Erickson, John Chalma, Ole Hanson, Olaf Olson and Theodore Jacobson. Interment was made in the Evergreen cemetery in Jewell. The Bethesda Mission society sent a gift to missions in memory of the departed, and the family and other relatives sent a gift at Larson's request to the Ebenezer Old People's Home at Minneapolis in his memory.