Kenneth “Kenny” L. Larsen, 94, of Decatur NE

KENNETH “KENNY” L. LARSEN was born April 29, 1921 to George and Marie (Peterson) Larsen in Decatur, Nebraska. He passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2015, at the Oakland Mercy Hospital in Oakland, Nebraska, at the age of 94 years.

Kenneth attended grade school at Deman Country School. He attended Blackbird High School for two years, and graduated from Decatur High School in 1938. Following graduation he spent two years working in California, until World War II, when he enlisted in the Civil Air Patrol. He was in training at Brookings, South Dakota. He was honorably discharged, to help his father with his farming operation, after his brother James died serving in the war.

He was married to Lauretta Beard on July 15, 1944. To this union were born two children, Larry and LeAnn. Kenny and Lauretta lived their entire lives on the home farm place; four miles West of Decatur, farming and raising registered Polled Hereford cattle.

Kenneth was baptized and confirmed into the Trinity Lutheran Church. He served as an elder and chairman of the church board for several years. He was very active in many organizations. He served on the District 32 School Board, 4H Extension Board, Burt County Fair Board, Decatur Township Board, Citizens State Bank Board, was a 4H leader, a member of the Burt County Feeders Association, and was Director of the Nebraska Polled Hereford Association.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Lauretta; his parents; his brothers, Paul and James.

Survivors include his son, Larry (Janice); daughter, LeAnn (Paul) Richards all of Decatur; sisters-in-law: Fran Beard of Oakland, Kay Smilie of Loveland, CO; brother-in-law, Bill Beard of Rockford, IL;  five grandsons: Rodney (Stefanie) Larsen of Omaha, NE, Keven (Pam) Larsen of Lincoln, NE, Jason (Linda) Richards of Omaha, Justin (Billie Jo “BJ”) Richards, Joshua (Skye) Richards all of Onawa, IA; three great granddaughters and nine great grandsons; several nieces and nephews, many cousins and a host of friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, June 6, 2015, 10:00 am, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walthilll, Nebraska

BURIAL WITH MILITARY HONORS: Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur

VISITATION: Friday, 6:30 – 8 pm with family receiving friends at Pelan Funeral Services Lyons. Visitation will also be held at the church one hour prior to service.

MEMORIALS: To the family for designation at a later time.

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com