Donald K. Larson, 84
Published 11:49 am Monday, March 7, 2011
Donald K. Larson, 84, of Spring Valley died Saturday, March 5, 2011, at Seasons Hospice in Rochester.
Donald Kenneth Larson was born Nov. 26, 1926, to Gladys Larson and Ernest Larson near Ostrander. He was raised by his grandparents, John and Julia Larson in the Ostrander and Spring Valley area. He attended country schools through the eighth-grade and later obtained his GED. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the Norwegian Lutheran church in Spring Valley. He served in the United States Army during World War II, serving in the Pacific Theatre at Leyte, Philippines. On May 5, 1951, he married Isabel Milene of Saint Charles at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. As a young man he played drums in the Vern Huntington dance band. He worked for Miller Brothers Construction and drove a truck for Ruan Transport in Spring Valley for 39 years. After he retired he worked for Osland Funeral Home and Hindt Funeral Homes for 20 years. He also worked for the city of Spring Valley and mowed the Spring Valley Cemetery. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley and served as usher on the cemetery board, commander of VFW Post 4114, American Legion Post 68, president of Spring Valley Historical Society, and Spring Valley Kiwanis Club and Masonic Lodge 58 as master. In 2008, he was chosen as the Kiwanis Club Citizen of the Year.
He enjoyed traveling, reading, watching movies and spending time with family.
He is survived by his wife of Spring Valley; two daughters, Deborah (Nevin) Groth of Spring Valley, Lynette (David) Oftedahl of Rochester; two sons, Donald John (Deb) Larson of Rochester and Bruce (Lori) Larson of Winona; seven grandchildren, Shannon (John) Nielsen of Postville, Iowa, Meggon Mae (Justin) Thornburgh of Chicago, Robbin Groth of Spring Valley, Christopher (Danelle Russell) Larson of Manhattan, Kan., Emma Larson of Northfield, Minn., Randy Oftedahl and Ryan Oftedahl, both of Rochester; three great-granddaughters, Nicole Groth, Hannah Nielsen and Ava Thornburgh; four sisters, Betty Seitz and Lorraine Livingston of West Union, Iowa, Janice quario of Oelwein, Iowa, and Lavila (Larry) Kisner of Parkersburg, Iowa; three brothers, Robert (Doris) Speer of West Burlington, Iowa, Clifford (Janice) Speer and Vern (Ione) Speer, both of Rochester; and a special aunt, Bernice Osterhus of Spring Valley.
Funeral services for Donald K. Larson will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday March 9, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley with the Reverands Dennis Timmerman and Laura Fladten officiating. Burial will take place in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday March 8, at Hindt Funeral Home in Spring Valley and 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Condolences may be left online at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com.