Larry J. Larson, 80, of West Point NE formerly of Oakland NE

Larry J. Larson, age 80, of West Point, Nebraska, formerly of Oakland, passed away Friday, November 27, 2015 at his home in West Point.  Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 2, 2015, at 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Oakland, Nebraska with Rev. Joel Rathbun officiating.  Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery at a later date.  Visitation will be on Tuesday, from 5-7 p.m. with family receiving friends with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. to be officiated by Rev. Les Parmenter, all at Pelan Funeral Services in Oakland. Visitation will also be held at the church one hour prior to service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church Oakland and to the Oakland-Craig Public School Foundation.  Pelan Funeral Services in Oakland is in charge of arrangements.

Larry J Larson was born to Harold and Esther (Gallup) Larson October 9, 1935 in Oakland, Nebraska. He passed away on Friday, November 27, 2015 peacefully in his home in West Point, Nebraska. Larry was baptized at the Congregational Church in Uehling, Nebraska. Larry and his family lived in Uehling for five years then the family moved to Omaha where he attended Benson West Elementary and Benson High School. He was confirmed in St Paul’s Methodist Church in Benson.   In 1950 the family moved to Oakland where he graduated from Oakland High School in 1953. After high school he attended Midland Lutheran College where he graduated in May of 1957.

Larry married Ruth H (Hensel) on November 23, 1958 at Grace Lutheran Church in West Point. They started their life together in Fremont, Nebraska where Larry worked for George H. Hormel Company. In 1959 they moved to Oakland where he worked as General Manager for Holmquist Grain and Lumber until he retired in 2000. While living in Oakland, Larry and Ruth raised their family of four children.

Throughout Larry’s life, he was very active in many organizations and hobbies. Larry served in the US Army Reserve. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was elected on the Oakland School Board for 12 years. He was appointed to the Nebraska Grain and Feed Dealers Legislative committee for many years. He served as president of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, member of the Oakland Jaycees and as a board member for the Oakland Golf Club for many years.

Larry’s passions were sports and fishing. While attending Midland Lutheran College he played football, basketball and was a member of the golf team. He played on the Hillside Dairy softball team. Larry continued his passion for the game of golf throughout his life starting at the age of 12 as a caddy for the Omaha Country Club. Throughout his years, he enjoyed watching, encouraging, and coaching his children and grandchildren in their involvement in sports and the arts.

Larry was preceded by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth of West Point, NE; children, Kevin (Brenda) Larson of West Point, Terry (Vivian) Larson of Lees Summit, MO, Patricia (Lee) Fellers of Red Oak, IA, Kathleen (Jerry) Lindstrom of Hiawatha, KS; 12 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; sister, Lila (Gary) Zimmerman of Omaha, NE.

Larry Larson