Larsen, James M. (1941 - 2012)

LARSEN, NELSON, LAUDENSLAGER, WELLS, PARKHURST, O’NEILL

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/19/2013 at 10:39:35

James M. Larsen - Age 71

James Martin Larsen was born on April 16, 1941 to Nels and Viola (Nelson) Larsen in Hancock, Iowa. He attended Fairview #9 Country School kindergarten through seventh grade and then Avoca High School, graduating with the Class of 1959.

He worked at the alfalfa mill in Avoca during his high school years and after graduation, worked at Western Electric for three years before going to Green Bay Lumber Company in Oakland, Iowa and Peterson Battery Electric until 1970. He began employment with REC in Harlan, Iowa in 1970 and remained there until he retired in 2000.

On July 15, 1961, Jim was united in marriage to Betty Jane Laudenslager at the Methodist Church in Harlan. Three children were born to them: Robin, Scott, and Johnny.

Jim was considered a jack of all trades. He enjoyed woodworking, remodeling old houses, and restoring cars and in his younger years, enjoyed going hunting.

He had a great sense of humor and loved telling jokes. Some of his favorite times were going out to eat on Friday nights with friends and his daily coffee with the Burger King bunch. He loved spending time with his family and friends.

Jim died on Monday, October 8, 2012 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of seventy-one years, five months, and twenty-two days. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Kenneth.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-one years Betty Larsen of Harlan, Iowa; children: Robin and her husband Don Parkhurst of Storm Lake, Iowa, Scott Larsen and his wife Mary of Roach, Missouri, and Johnny Larsen and his wife Janelle of Ozark, Arkansas; four grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; seven step-great-grandchildren; sisters Elvilda and her husband Bob O’Neill of Avoca, Iowa and Donna and her husband George Wells of Dalhart, Texas; other family members and many friends.

Pastor Steven Chellew officiated the 11:00 AM funeral service on Thursday, October 11, 2012 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa. Serving as casket bearers were Larry Klein, Vernon Brue, Lyle Behrens, Warren Grummert, Byron Christensen, and Larry Lamp. Interment was held at the Harlan Cemetery.

Source: pauleyjones.com (Pauley Jones Funeral Home)
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