Rodney M. (Rod) Larson. Rod has been called to serve our Father after serving mankind for most of his 74 years. He died Sunday, Jan. 13 after almost a year struggling with the treatments for esophageal cancer. Rod was born in Fosston, MN to Marvin E. and Evelyn Eklund Larson and lived most of his life in Ham Lake, MN. He received a Bachelor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Minnesota and continued working on his Master's and Ph.D. in Mathematics at the U. of M. Rod served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1965 in the First Aerospace Control Squadron under NORAD in Colorado Springs. He worked on the initial system for tracking orbiting satellites, for which he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. He worked for Minneapolis Honeywell for 28 years and received the H.W. Sweatt Award for technical excellence. Rod began his Masonic career and was raised as a Master Mason by Anoka Lodge No. 30 in 1976. He served as Master in 1981 and as Master of Cass Lodge No. 243 for the 2005-2006 year. He served the Grand Lodge as chairman of the Research and Education Committee in addition to many other committees. He held offices in many Masonic organizations. He was elected Grand Master of Masons of Minnesota in 1994. He was elevated to a 33rd degree Mason. Rod is survived by his wife, Maxine and two daughters, Annette M. Sharon (Garry) Peru, VT, and Janine C. Mattfield (Dan) and children Jordan and Holly Grand Rapids, MN. Other survivors are brother, William E. Larson (Bobbi), Ham Lake and children; sister, Yvonne M. Jackson (Melvin), Swanville and children; sister-in-law, Mary Jane Archibald Diaz, Pharr, TX and children; sister-in-law, Karen Archibald Kretlow (Robert), Coon Rapids, MN and children; niece- in-law, Sherrie Zetterval Mertz (John), Shakopee, MN and children. Rod was preceded in death by his parents; by brother-in-law, Tony Diaz, and sister-in-law, Ethel Archibald. Visitation at Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home, W. Main St. and Branch Av. in Anoka at 6 p.m. with Masonic and public services at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, 23 January. Visitation also on 26 January at Koop Funeral Home, 32 Main St. E. in Crosby, MN at 1:00 p.m. with services at 2 p.m. Interment will be at the Bay Lake Cemetery following the services in Crosby. No floral offerings, please, instead make contributions to Anoka Masonic Lodge No. 30, elevator fund. Thurston-Lindberg Chapel 763-421-0220

Published in the Star Tribune from 1/16/2008 - 1/20/2008.