Robert McKinley Larson (1922-1945)

LARSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:14

From Nevada Evening Journal July 7, 1945 (page 3)

Memorial Services For Roland Boys

Salem Church was again filled to capacity Sunday afternoon when joint memorial services were held for Lt. Donald Alvestad and Pfc. Robert Larson. The church was beautifully decorated with baskets of flowers and Donald's and Robert's pictures stood before a spray of delphiniums, white gladioli and red carnations shaped like a fan. The following program was given:

Organ Prelude--"Largo in G"--G. F. Handel, Alfred Ness, Organist
Hymn--"What a Friend We Have In Jesus," Hymnary No. 488
Scripture Reading and Prayer
Vocal Solo--"The Lord's Prayer"--Albert Hay Malott, Mrs. Grant Eggland
Reading of Life Sketch, Telegrams, Letters, Memorial Gifts
Vocal Quartet--"These Are Our Lads" Words by the Pastor, Music by Mrs. O. S. Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. O. S. Boyd and Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Swenson
Sermon--"Good Soldiers," The Pastor
Vocal Solo--"Sleep Soldier Boy"--Dorothy Alexander, Leslie Henderson, Acc. by Harry Christiansen
Presentation of Flag--Otto J. Hanson, Chaplain The American Legion Post No. 307
Taps
Benediction
Postlude--"Largo" from "The New World Symphony" Dvorak

The American Legion, Legion Auxiliary and the classmates attended in a body.

ROBERT McKINLEY LARSON

Robert McKinley Larson was born at Story City, Iowa on December 11, 1922. He was baptized at Bethel Lutheran Church at Story City by Rev. C. O. Paulsrud, and confirmed in May, 1937, in the Salem Lutheran Church at Roland By Rev. Olaf Holen.

He attended the Sandness school near Randall for three years, and the Roland Consolidated school the rest of his school days, graduating with the class of 1940. He was engaged in farming with his father one mile south of Roland before entering the service on March 2, 1943. He received his basic training at Camp Roberts, California, leaving for overseas, June 11, 1943, without ever having a furlough.

He spent 11 months in Hawaii, eight months in New Guinea, one month in the Netherlands East Indies, and two months on Luzon, Philippine Islands, where he met death on April 12, 1945, at the age of 22 years, four months and one day.

While in the Netherlands East Indies he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman M. Larson, one brother, Pvt. Darrel Larson, who is on the Marianna Island, three sisters, Virginia Faye Anne, and Sheryl, and his fiancee, Miss Mary Britson.

Among those from out of town for the services were Mr. and Mrs. Hosea Jondall, Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Thompson, Misses Ramona and Betty Thompson of Ames, Mrs. Jerry Michaelson and Amanda Michaelson of Jewell, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Michaelson of Story City, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Twedt of Nevada, Clarence Iverson and Mrs. Mary Iverson of Belle Plaine and Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Geise of Mason City.