Marion A. Larson 66, of Woonsocket, died Sunday evening, Jan. 6, 2013 in the Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, Mitchell, following a long but valiant battle with cancer.
Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 11 in St. Wilfrid Catholic Church, Woonsocket, with Rev. Rhonda Wellsandt-Zell officiating. Burial was in Eventide Cemetery, Woonsocket. Visitation was Thursday, Jan. 10 at the church with a prayer service.
Marion A. Larson was born on July 1, 1946 to Arthur and Leona (Forbes) Larson on the Larson farm homestead in Sanborn County.
He was baptized in the Bethany Lutheran Church on April 8, 1960 by Rev. DeWayne Shay. He was a member of Bethany and served as council president for several years. He was a member of AAL, now called Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and also served as chairman for many years.
Marion graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1965. He enlisted in the Navy Seabee’s (CB’s – Construction Battalion) and served two tours in Vietnam as an electrician.
On Nov. 18, 1967 he was united in marriage to Susan Yakel of Klemme, Iowa.
Marion attended Brown Institute in Minneapolis, Minn. following his discharge from the Navy where he received his computer training. He worked for Sanitary Farm Dairies in St. Paul, Minn. and National Cash Register in Rochester, Minn. as a computer programmer from 1970–1975.
He and his family moved to Woonsocket and farmed until moving to town in 1996. He worked with Randy Weber in the mobile home repair business until learning of his cancer in 2001.
He enjoyed, cooking, hunting, fishing, but mostly spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, adding a dash of his unique, dry, whitty humor into every aspect of life.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Susan; daughter, Amy Miiller and friend, Jason; daughter, Tracy Bird (Corey) of Sioux Falls; four grandchildren; four brothers, Robert, Jerry, Dan and Alan; a sister, Linda Verba; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Marvin; a son, Troy; a son-in-law, Rich Miiller; father-in-law, Roland Yakel; mother-in-law, Luella Yakel; and a sister-in-law, Julie Mau.