Robert J. “Jim” Larson, 70, of Woonsocket, passed away Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, at the Prairie View Heathcare Community in Woonsocket.

The funeral service was held Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Woonsocket Community Center. Reverend Rhonda Wellsandt-Zell officiated. Burial was in the Silver Creek Cemetery of rural Woonsocket with military rites by Woonsocket American Legion Post 29. Visitation and prayer services were held at the Basham Funeral Home on Tuesday, Nov. 13. 

Robert J. “Jim” Larson was born May 19, 1948 at St. John’s Hospital in Huron to Robert W. and Arlyce (Doering) Larson. An only child, he grew up in Forestburg and attended Woonsocket High School. Following high school he attended Dakota State College in Madison. He served in the South Dakota National Guard for 10 years and worked at an airline company in Chicago, before returning to South Dakota.

He worked for Armour in Huron and Farmers Union Co-op in Woonsocket. Then he went to work for Barthlows Construction and later Elliot Construction, building substations. Finally, he worked for Basin Electric, starting in 1984, until his retirement in 2008.

Jim moved to the family farm in 1989. He was joined in marriage with Patti Maakestad on Nov. 17, 1991. Jim had a great love for his family, friends, farm and animals. He was an excellent carpenter and jack-of-all trades.

Jim is survived by his wife, Patti, of Woonsocket; children, Jay (Trudy) Larson, of Woonsocket, Michael Larson, of Woonsocket, Paula (Arid) Boschee, of Sioux Falls, Ryan (Michelle) Day, of Concord, Calif., Stephanie Baysinger, of Woonsocket, Trevis (Casie) Larson, of Big Springs, Texas, Kristi Gavre, of Dallas, Texas, and Tambi (Marty) Wormstadt, of Artesian; 19 grandchildren; and first wife, Cheryl Kahle, of Piedmont.

He was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law, Stan and Lila Maakestad; several aunts and uncles; and his beloved dog, Lacey Lou.