Bruce Larson, age 75 of North Branch died on Friday, Feb. 15, 2008 at The Villages of North Branch.
Gotfred Bruce Larson was born on December 5, 1932 in Minneapolis. He was the youngest of three children of Gotfred and Violet (Spickler) Larson. Bruce, as everyone knew him was the great grandson of Lars Larson, a pioneer farmer in Fish Lake Township. He attended grade school in Harris and graduated from North Branch High School in 1951. He lived his entire life in the Harris and North Branch area.
Following high school Bruce was employed for 16 years by Branch Manufacturing as a tool and die maker. He went on to work at Honeywell and Hub Manufacturing in Minneapolis until he was forced to retire for health reasons. Bruce was a 50 year member of Masonic Lodge #232. He was a U.S. Army veteran and was stationed in France in 1955.
Upon his return from the service, Bruce met Marie Peterson and they were married on Sept. 7, 1957. To this union two children were born. Bruce was a loving and dedicated husband and father. He had many interests and hobbies. He was an avid hunter of deer, ducks and pheasants which he hunted both locally and out of state. He had a true passion for firearms and was considered by many to be an expert on firearm history and repair. In later years he took an interest in the repair and restoration of clocks. His time spent in the service parked an interest in military vehicles and he bought and fixed up relics from all parts of the country.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Marie; daughter, Elise (David) Hanson of Fridley; son, Lee (Diana) Larson of Harris; granddaughter, Tawnya Matheson; great grandchildren, Derek and Ava Matheson; brother, Louis (Gloria) Larson of Bloomington; brother in law, Raymond (Barb) Peterson; sister in laws, Irene Sandberg, Helen Larson and Elaine Stevens; cousin, Karin Peterson, niece, Susan Larson-Walter; nephews, Glen Larson, Tom Larson, Todd Larson and Gary Larson. Dear friends, Bob Edwardson, Max Malmquist and Betty and Jack Reece. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Clare Larson.
Bruce fought his illness with grace, pride, courageousness and dignity. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. The family thanks caregivers at The Villages of North Branch for the loving care given to Bruce and the entire family during the last days of his illness. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Visitation will be from 6-8
p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 at Grandstrand Funeral Home in North Branch. Memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22 at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Branch with Rev. Loren Mellum officiating. Music will be provided by Debra Aulich and Jon Ekstrom. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery at Harris with military honors.
Arrangements are under the direction of Grandstrand Funeral Home in North Branch.
|
