Lyle Larson, 81

Lyle LeRoy Larson, 81, died December 9, 2009.

Lyle was born July 14, 1928 on the family farm in Holmes City Township to Lewis and Louise (Sundberg) Larson. He attended country school and was baptized and confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria.

In 1950 Lyle joined the U.S. Army and served at Fort Riley, Kansas. He was about to ship out to Korea when he was discharged due to family hardship; he was needed to farm the family farm. Lyle served four more years in the Minnesota National Guard.

On May 28, 1960 Lyle was united in marriage to Harriet Olson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Holmes City. The couple made their home for three years in LaGrand Township before moving to the Olson family farm. Lyle worked for many years as a dairy farmer. While doing that he also worked for the Douglas County Highway Department as a truck driver and mowing ditches along the county roads. For 17 years Lyle was a bus driver for District 206, retiring in 1977.

Lyle did more than dairy farming. He taught himself to weld and repair machinery. Through his orderly and careful management of resources, he was able to keep his machinery working well beyond its expected usefulness. If neighbors needed parts repaired or welded, they turned to Lyle. Lyle also liked to fix up old cars and keep them running.

Lyle was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a life member of American Legion Post 87. In his earlier years he enjoyed league bowling and acquired many trophies for his skill in the game. Dancing was one of Lyle’s favorite pastimes; he attended many dances and barn dances where he showed the ladies how well he could dance. He and Harriet also enjoyed old time music and country western music. Lyle and Harriet also spent many nights out with the neighbors on their snowmobiles.

Family was very important to Lyle. He and Harriet were blessed with five children and were very proud of them. Lyle’s nieces and nephews always looked forward to spending their summers at Lyle’s. Lyle taught them to work hard and play hard. He tried to keep old motorcycles and go-karts going for the youngsters, on which they could tear around the farm.

His brother, Gordon Larson, preceded him in death.

Lyle is survived by his wife, Harriet Larson of Holmes City; two daughters, Sandra Toso of Holmes City and Carrie Hart and husband, Darwin, of Parkers Prairie; three sons, Randy Larson of Holmes City, Donald Larson of Holmes City and Charles Larson and friend, Jennifer Barrick, of Holmes City; four grandchildren, Erika Toso, Jarek Toso, Nicholas Larson and Kyrstin Barrick; one sister, Eleanor Johnson and husband, Bob, of St. Louis Park; one sister-in-law, Marlene Larson of Holmes City; several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held Monday, December 14 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Holmes City with the Rev. Denise Croskey officiating. Jan Myhr provided music. Interment followed at Rose Hill Cemetery at Holmes City. Honorary pallbearers included Terry Johnson, Steven Johnson, Greg Johnson, Mike Larson, Bruce Larson, Vicki Van Hammond and Becky Beaman. American Legion Post 87 and VFW Post 936 accorded military honors.

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

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