Lester Albertus LARSON

LARSON, HALL, BRUEN, WATSON, FOLDEN, PERSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/20/2008 at 11:40:43

April 19, 2008
Fort Dodge Messenger, Iowa

BADGER —Lester A. Larson, 81, of Badger, entered his eternal rest on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Services will be 11 a.m. on Monday, April 21, at the Badger Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Darryl Landsverk officiating. Military honors will be presented at the church. Immediately following the service, a lunch will be held at the church, and then interment will follow at the Blossom Hill Cemetery. The visitation is Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Lester is survived by his wife Betty; his son and daughter-in-law, Larry (Robin) Larson, Fort Dodge, and their son Erik; his daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy (Larry) Hall, Badger, and their children, Matthew, Ben and Molly; Kristi (Lt. Col. (Ret.) Michael) Bruen, Humboldt, and their children, Joe, Emma and Anna; Rachel (Sean O’Leary) Larson, Naperville, IL, and their children, Connor and Sydney; his brother Norman J. Larson, Thor; his sister Joann (Stuart Watson) Larson, Martinez, CA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law Evelyn Larson.

Lester Albertus Larson, the son of Joseph B. and Olga (Folden) Larson, was born November 22, 1926, near Badger, Iowa. Lester was baptized and confirmed in the Badger Lutheran Church. He attended Blossom Hill Country School, Eagle Grove High School and then graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1944. Lester entered the U.S. Navy at the age of 18, and served towards the end of World War II on the S.S. Floyd Parks. During his service, Lester visited Cuba, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, the Philippines and Shanghai, China. Following his discharge, Lester was employed with Ottosen Plumbing and then was employed with J. G. Miller Construction Company. He was involved in the construction of the new Fort Dodge Senior High School and Badger Lutheran Church. Lester also began farming in Humboldt and Webster counties in 1950. On March 30, 1951, Lester was united in marriage to Betty Person at the Badger Lutheran Church and the couple recently celebrated their 57th anniversary. In 1977, Lester was joined in farming with his son Larry. Lester continued farming until his death and he took great pride in his profession. Besides his love for farming, Lester also enjoyed serving as a Pioneer Seed Dealer for 31 years. Lester was a lifelong member of Badger Lutheran Church, where he served on the Board of Trustees. He was treasurer of the Badger Development Corporation and was a board member of the Badger Co-op Elevator Board. Lester was a founding member of the Badger Lions and was a member of the Sons of Norway. Lester was an avid fisherman and he enjoyed playing cards. Known for his love of traveling, Lester served as tour guide and interpreter with his family and many friends during his nine trips to the country of Norway.

Lester loved being with his family and having visitors to his home. Lester especially treasured the time he spent with his grandchildren and will be truly missed by all. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the discretion of the family or Badger Lutheran Church.