Berdin (Dean) F. Larson, 87
Berdin (Dean) F. Larson, 87, of Austin, died on June 7, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.
He was born Oct. 12, 1921, in Wilmot, S.D., to Berdin and Lila (Hasner) Larson. He attended school in Waseca County, Minn. Dean served in the United States Marine Corps 2nd Division as a light machine gun crewman from January 1941 until October 1945. He spent two years in the South Pacific, fighting at Tarawa, Tinian and Saipan. He was united in marriage to Frances Arlene Bird in Portsmouth, Va. on May 20, 1945. Together they shared 64 years of marriage and raised five children. Dean worked at Geo. A. Hormel and Co. for 38 years. Following retirement, he joined his wife as a volunteer at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home. 
He enjoyed wood working and helped with ceramics in the crafts room. He also did a lot of wood working at home in his garage shop, making small furniture and craft projects that Frances painted. He loved reading Western novels, especially Louis L’amour and enjoyed Western movies and country music. He loved spending time with his family, working outdoors in his yard and gardening. He was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, VFW Post 1218 and the American Legion Post 91.
He is survived by his wife, Frances; sons, Jeff (Cherri), Brooklyn Park, Paul (and partner, Jan Wiezorek) Chicago, and Keith (Nancy), Rochester; daughter, Debra (Steve) Burma, Austin; daughter-in-law, Joanne (Paul) Nesse, Prescott, Wis.; grandchildren, Amanda (Mike) Schlafke, Hayward, Wis., Jesse (Jill) Burma, Lyle, Katrina Nesse and partner, Samantha Floyd, Minneapolis, Chad Burma, Austin, Alicia Nesse, Prescott, Wis., Sara Larson, St. Paul, Corey Larson, Rochester; great-grandchildren, Marshall Dean Burma and Colton Aaron Burma, Lyle; sister, Lila (Bob) Evans, Peoria, Ariz.; brother-in-law, Lyle (Darlene) Bird, Freeborn; sister-in-law, Rosella Peek, Bloomington; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Berdin and Lila; son, Gary Larson; brother, Duward Larson and sisters, Betty Bedney and Ludena Larson.
Funeral services will be held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin, on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Kristi Koppel officiating.  The organist and soloist will be Neal Erickson. Visitation will be at Worlein Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. and one hour before the service on Thursday at the church. Interment will be in LeSueur River Lutheran Church Cemetery, New Richland, with military rites by American Legion Post 91. Casket bearers are Paul Nesse, Steve Burma, Jesse Burma, Cody Rossman, Chad Burma and Corey Larson. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is in charge of arrangements. The family requests memorials to St. Olaf Lutheran Church building fund or the donor’s choice.