Columbia - Francis Leon Larson, 75, of Columbia, S.D., died Monday, July 17, 2006, at ManorCare Health Services, Aberdeen. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Friday, July 21, 2006, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1620 Milwaukee Avenue N.E., Aberdeen, with Rev. Jeff Whillock officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Columbia, with Military Graveside Rites being conducted by Roy L. Hall American Legion Post #58 of Columbia. Luncheon and a time of fellowship will follow the burial at the American Legion Hall in Columbia. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Thursday, at Miller-Huebl Funeral Home, 1111 South Main St., Aberdeen and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Francis Leon Larson was born Aug. 18, 1930, on a farm two miles southeast of Columbia, S.D., to Lloyd and Gemina (Lien) Larson. He graduated from Columbia High School in 1948. Following graduation, he farmed with his dad on the Larson home place southeast of Columbia. In 1951 Francis was drafted into the Army. He attended Camp Breckenridge, Ky., for basic training and then Camp Kilmer, N.J. He was assigned to overseas duty in Landshut, Germany. While in Germany, he drove an Armor Tank. Upon his honorable discharge in 1953, Francis returned to Columbia to farm the Larson home place, being the third generation on that farm. He then worked for A.S.C.S. Binsites in Columbia. He became a resident of ManorCare Health Services in Aberdeen on June 30, 2006, where continued to reside until the time of his death. He was member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen and a lifetime member of Roy L. Hall American Legion Post #58 of Columbia. He was also an avid sports fan and enjoyed bowling, golfing, hunting and fishing. His memory lives on with three sisters, Loretta (Maurice) Lueb of Ipswich, S.D., and Beverly Odde and Helen (Archie) Daly of Aberdeen, S.D.; two brothers, Merle (Corrine) Larson and Jerry (Paulette) Larson of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and 14 nieces and nephews. Francis was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Lloyd Larson and one brother-in-law, Leonard Odde. Casketbearers will be Dwight Buntrock, Ralph Johnson, Bernie De Hoet, Gordie Pierson, Jerome Hochhalter and Bob Mertz. Honorary casketbearers will be all Francis' nieces and nephews, Brian Larson, Patty Davis, Brenda Larson, Lexi Larson, Cassie Larson, Gene Lueb, Bonnie Hoffman, Greg Odde, Vicki Odde, Sandra Doyle, Ramona Oberlander, Lucinda Daly, Linda Hartung and Daniel Daly.
Published in the Aberdeen News on 7/20/2006.