John
Larson, 51Crookston - John Larson, 51, formerly of Oklee, died Sunday, February 14, 1999 at Riverview Nursing Home in Crookston.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 18 at 11 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church, rural Oklee, with Reverend Robert Paulson officiating. Marian Marquis will be the organist, and vocal music will be provided by Lori Melby and Carolyn Rystad. Casketbearers will be Rene Hofstad, Tim Radniecki, John Lerohl, Ron Hegge, Darrell Schumacher, Al Clark, Clifford Olson and Cliff Melby. Honorary casketbearers will be the Crookston VFW Drill Team. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held this evening (Wednesday, February 17) from 5 to 8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service at the Petterson Funeral Home in Oklee. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.
John Ardell Larson was born on June 21, 1947 in Thief River Falls, the son of Alfred and Selma (Erickson) Larson. He grew up in the Oklee area and attended school there, graduating from Oklee High School in 1965.
John moved to Havre, MT and then joined the U.S. Army. He served for one year and seven months in the Republic of Vietnam as a helicopter crew chief gunner. The medals and badges he received for his service included the Air medal with device, Aircraft Crewman badge, Army Commendation medal, National Defense Service medal, Good Conduct medal, Vietnam Service medal with two bronze Service Stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal. John received an honorable discharge in October of 1968. He served in the Crookston National Guard from October of 1985 until June of 1988.
On August 29, 1970 John married Charlene Bergeron at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee.
He was a charter member of the Crookston VFW Drill Team and a lifetime member of the Crookston VFW. He enjoyed fishing, especially with his children. He also enjoyed listening to Twins and Vikings games and country music and visiting with his friends.
John is survived by one son, Adam T. Larson of Crookston; one daughter, Michele R. Larson of Crookston; his mother, Selma Larson of Oklee; one brother, Eddie (Sharon) Larson of Oklee; one sister, Elaine Williamson of Missoula, MT; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father; two sisters, Catheryn Steiger and Ann Wilde; and all of his grandparents. A00003B1999FB17