Burl Donald Larson, 92, Rochester

Published 10:24 am Monday, October 1, 2012

Burl Donald Larson, 92, of Rochester, Minn., and formerly of Lewiston died Friday, Sept. 28, 2012, at Maple Manor Nursing Home in Rochester.

Burl D. Larson

Burl was born Nov. 29, 1919, on the family farm at Chaseley, N.D. to Lemuel and Rose (Bovia) Larson. He was in the Army during World War II, serving from February 1942 to August 1945 and was stationed in the Pacific Theatre. For his efforts in the war Burl was awarded a Purple Heart, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with a Bronze Service Star and a Good Conduct Medal. In 1946, when Burl was discharged from the service, he returned to Chaseley to farm.

Burl and Jean Brown were married June 30, 1947, in Bowden, N.D., In 1960 the couple moved to Tuttle, N.D., where he operated an International Harvestor dealership for four years. He worked at various jobs until moving to Rose Creek, Minn., in 1966. In 1972 they moved to New Ulm, Minn., where they lived until moving to Lewiston in 1994. In 2009 Burl and Jean moved to Rochester.

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Burl is survived by his wife Jean; three children, Perry (Rheta) Larson of Tuttle, Mavis (Tom) Wacholtz of Rochester and Sheri (Dale) Benjamin of Owatonna, Minn.; seven grandchildren, Gwen Larson (Ken Warren), Steffe Lundeen, Christina (Ian) Oelkers, Alan (Kelle) Wacholtz, Amy Rindels, Tim (Amber) Talbert Jr. and Angela (Justin) Tysdale; 13 great-grandchildren with another due in February; and a sister Rachel Jorgenson of Hurdsfield, N.D. Burl is also survived by several nieces and nephews, family and friends. He was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.

Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hoff Funeral Service in St. Charles with the Rev. Warren Gabel of Bethany United Methodist Church in Rochester officiating. Friends may call from5 p.m. Tuesday until time of services at the funeral home. Services in Chaseley are being arranged, with burial following in Chaseley Cemetery. Nelson Funeral Home of Fessenden, N.D., is assisting the family with services in North Dakota. Please share a memory of Burl at his online Guestbook and view his tribute video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.