Lance L Larson

Lance Larson was born on July 13, 1938 to Lawrence and Mae

(Fredricksen) Larson on a farm near Rock Dell, Minnesota. He grew up

farming alongside his dad and his uncles, learning the values of faith,

integrity and hard work. Many of his uncles served in WWII and Korea

which resulted in a lifelong interest in military history and firearms. After

graduation, he joined the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division of the National

Guard and was assigned to Company C where he served for 6 years. He

then enlisted in the Air Force Reserve for 4 more years. Later, he served

as the Liaison Officer for his Red Bull Unit.

While working as an orderly at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, he met a St.

Mary’s nursing student, Sharon Rowland. They were married on June 4,

1960. They lived and farmed in the Rock Dell area until moving their family

to Park Rapids in 1970 where he continued to farm and founded Straight

River Land & Cattle Company. He was a real estate broker for over 40

years and was an avid entrepreneur who enjoyed developing, building, and

financing new businesses and ventures. He had a variety of interests and

served his community in a number of ways. He taught sunday school and

served as superintendent and church board member, taught real estate

classes for the state of Minnesota and was a member of the Hubbard

County Sheriff’s Posse. Lance was a member of the Park Rapids Antique

Tractor Club, was a Master Mason, and had his private pilots license. He

sponsored and shot in a trap league for many years and loved to hunt and

fish. He also owned and operated the West 40, a farm-themed restaurant

that featured an antique tractor in the dining room. In 2011, Lance and

Sharon retired to Watertown, South Dakota.

Lance is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Sharon, of Watertown.

Their children, daughter Beth (Kevin) Brown of Bathgate, N.D., son Eric

(Joleen) Larson of Adel, IA., and son Ross (Jolene) Larson of Garretson,

S.D. Grandchildren Garret (Erin) Brown of Laura, IL., Taylor (Aaron) Conn

of Alexandria, MN., and Ethan Brown of Omaha, NE., Andrew (Julie)

Larson of Minot, N.D., Benjamin (Taylor) Larson of Waukee, IA., Matthew

Larson of Des Moines, IA., and Jacob Larson of Adel, IA., Kyle (Carly

Holmstrom) Larson of Brookings, S.D., and Emily Larson of Sioux Falls,

S.D. Great-grandchildren Hugh, Landon and Baby Brown due in July,

Johanna, Stark and Elizabeth Larson, and Baby Conn due in June.

Lance passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 24, 2023

at the age of 84. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 13 at

10:30 a.m., with visitation an hour before at Hosanna Lutheran Church,

1617 14th Ave NE, Watertown, S.D.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American

Legion Post #17, 14-1st Avenue SE, Watertown, SD 57201, in Lance’s

name.  Service will be live streamed on the Church Website:

www.hosannalutheranwtn.com

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