Thief River Falls - Jon Larson, 58, died unexpectedly on Saturday, August 1, 1998 at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday, August 5) at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls with Father Dennis Wieland and Father Tim Bushy officiating. Ron Lehrer and Jim Fellman will be the readers. The organist will be Kristi LaSalle. Shelly Burkel will be the cantor. Special music will be provided by St. Bernard's Adult Choir; brass musicians, Bruce Felt, Mike Lehrer, Reid Froiland, Jim Lehrer and Mark Lehrer; violinist Jim Solsten; and flutist Laura Brickson. Casketbearers will be Grant Larson, Derek Larson, Kent Larson, Mark Larson, Brian Larson and Tom Fellman. Honorary casketbearers will be Gregory Larson, Kara Larson and Jon's many friends. Interment will be in St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery. The Green Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation was held on Tuesday from 1 to 8 p.m. at Green Funeral Home. A family service was held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Jon Phillip Larson was born on July 17, 1940 in Thief River Falls, the son of Justus H. and Violet E. (Kelly) Larson. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1958. After attending the University of Minnesota, Jon returned to Thief River Falls to join his father at Larson Music, a business started by his grandfather in 1919.
Jon was united in marriage to Valerie Ann Fellman. In the late 1960's Jon took over the management of the music store and operated the business until its sale in 1991. In 1993, he joined the firm of Edward Jones as an investment broker, initially opening an office in Brainerd and then taking over management of the Thief River Falls office in 1995. He enjoyed the business community and the special people he worked with at Edward Jones.
Jon was very active in the Thief River Falls community and took leadership roles in most of the clubs and organizations with which he was involved. Over the years, he served as president of the TRF Jaycees, TRF Chamber of Commerce, Thief River Golf Club, TRF Curling Club, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus and St. Bernard's Catholic Church Council. He served as treasurer of TRFAHA, supporting youth hockey for nearly a decade. He also served on the TRF City Planning Commission for many years. Other club and civic activities included the Elks Club, St. Bernard's Choir and Building Committee and the TRF Education Foundation.
His many interests included sports, especially curling and golf, and music. He was a devoted husband, father and brother.
Jon is survived by his wife of 30 years, Valerie Larson of Thief River Falls; three sons, Grant (Cheri Rasmussen-Larson) Larson, Derek (fiancee Kristine Friedrich) Larson and Kent Larson; one daughter, Kara Larson; his mother, Violet (Al) Larson-Gregerson; three brothers, Mark (Jean) Larson, Gregory (Marcy) Larson and Brian (Kim) Larson; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father.