Myron Larson, 85

Myron Clarence Larson, 85, died Sunday, April 11, 2010 at Knute Nelson in Alexandria.

Myron was born in Alexandria on September 4, 1924, the son of Clarence N. and Minnie (Sanstead) Larson. Myron grew up in Alexandria and graduated from Alexandria High School in 1942. He joined the U.S. Army in January 1943 and was sent to Camp Swift, Texas for basic training with the 527th Combat Engineer Battalion. He was transferred to the 294th Engineer Combat Battalion and was shipped overseas to England in preparation for the invasion of France. On D-Day while crossing the channel, Myron’s ship, the Susan B. Anthony, hit a mine and was sunk – the only ship lost in the invasion. He landed on Utah Beach and later received the Purple Heart, five battle stars, and a Presidential Unit Citation for the Battle of the Bulge. He was discharged in October 1945.

Returning to Minnesota, Myron worked as a state forest ranger for the Minnesota Forest Service. On August 17, 1947, he was united in marriage to Joan Ballard of Alexandria. They lived in Hibbing where their children, Deyanne and Craig, were born. He was transferred to the Plum Creek Ranger Station near Effie and then promoted to state timber appraiser and transferred to Warroad and then to Baudette.

Resigning from the Forest Service in 1953, Myron entered the U.S. Border Patrol in 1954 and attended the academy in El Paso, Texas. His first duty station was Chula Vista, California and from there he was transferred to Browning, Montana, and later to Pembina, North Dakota and then to his last duty station, Fort Fairfield, Maine, where he was promoted to patrol inspector in charge.

Upon his retirement in 1977, Myron and Joan moved back to Alexandria where they built a log home on Lake Ida in the spot where they had enjoyed a cabin for many years.

Myron loved and was very proud of his family. He was also very proud of his military service and his years of service in the U.S. Border Patrol. He was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and the Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan; two children, Deyanne and husband, Edward Valencia, of Tucson, Arizona and Craig and wife, Laurine Larson, of Alexandria; six grandchildren, Kristin King and Erika Alvord of Tucson, Laurel Loew of Tubac, Arizona, Jennifer Rosato of Duluth, and Matthew Larson and Kari Larson of Alexandria; eight great-grandchildren, Desarae, Jesse, Corrado, Sophia, Lily, Rachel, Benjamin and Nathan.

He is also survived by two brothers, Quentin “Bud” (Doris) Larson of Alexandria and Milo (Margie) Larson of Pelican Rapids; several nieces and nephews.

Myron was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 16 at 1 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria with the Rev. Russell Osterberg officiating. Organist is Audrey Aga and soloist is Bruce Aga. Interment will be at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria with his six grandchildren as pallbearers.

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

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