M. E. "Dane" Larsen 1897 - 1987

LARSEN, DANIHER

Posted By: Viv Reeves (email)
Date: 2/18/2014 at 13:34:18

Onawa Democrat, Onawa, (Monona), Iowa, 11 Jun 1987:

M. E. “DANE” LARSEN

M. E. “Dane” Larsen, 89, a longtime former Onawa resident and businessman, passed away May 25, 1987, in Clearwater, Florida.

Dane was born in Viborg, South Dakota, on August 6, 1897, and moved to Onawa with his parents in 1912. He graduated from Onawa High School in 1916. While in high school and after graduation he apprenticed himself to several tailors and learned that trade. In 1920, he purchased the Sanitary Cleaners and remained there until 1955 when he sold his share of the business to his partner, “Red” Williams. Dane and his wife, “Jo”, purchased a motel in southeast Missouri in 1955 and remained there until 1965 when they sold out and moved to Dunedin, Florida.

Dane married Johannah E. Daniher in September, 1918. Jo preceded Dane in death in October 1971. He leaves three children: Fred of Fridley, Minn., Virginia of Herndon, Va. and Jack of Fairfax, Va.; also twelve grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren.

During Dane’s forty some years in Onaway, he participated in many activities which contributed to the betterment of the community. He was the prime mover in starting the Onawa Municipal Band which gave many concerts back in the twenties and thirties when this was a great source of local entertainment. He was an active member of the Onawa Volunteer Fire Department and was never more active than the night Fyock’s Café burned down and threatened the Sanitary Cleaners next door.

Dane converted to the Catholic faith in 1924. He gave the first $100.00 to the building fund to build the new St. John’s Catholic Church. There was no place in the new church for the small stained glass window of Jesus at the Last Supper which was behind the altar of the old church. Dane built a window box for this window and it is now in the entrance of the new church.

There will be a graveside memorial service at the Onawa Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. on June 20, 1987. Friends are welcome.