Chester Larsen, 87

Chester Larsen, 87, died Saturday, December 1, 2012.

Chester was born November 2, 1925 in Erdahl, the son of James and Betsy (Burskow) Larsen. He was baptized and confirmed at Erdahl Lutheran Church. He graduated from Elbow Lake High School.

Chester joined the United States Navy in November of 1943. He was honorably discharged as a Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class on April 26, 1946. He served aboard the USS Sanborn (APA 193) with duty in the South Pacific. His ship was active on D-Day during the invasion of Iwo Jima.

Chester was employed by Production Credit Association in 1947 as a loan officer in Morris. He met and married Valerie Huseth in 1950. He served on the Morris City Council and was mayor of Morris from 1969 to 1972. The PCA offices of Morris and Alexandria merged in 1972, at which time Chester moved into the position of president of the merged offices in the Alexandria location.

He was active in both the Morris and Alexandria Church Council and served as commissioner on the Alexandria Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board for 15 years.

Chester was an avid saxophone player and was frequently found playing with dance bands along with his twin brother, Carlyle, who was a trumpet player.

He is survived by his daughters, Anne Larsen and Mary (Kim) Evers; grandchildren, Justin, Ryan and Brittany Dehn, Tyler and Jonathon Evers; great-grandchildren, Kallie, Devin and Jackson Dehn, Max Guzman Dehn, Rico Maury; brother, Carlyle Larsen of Madison; sister, Adeline Burgess of Ortonville; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and one brother.

Memorial services will be held Friday, December 14 at 1 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Burial will be at Geneva Cemetery.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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