Phillip Larsen Sr.

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. on Friday, November 2, 2012 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids, MN.VISITATION : 5-8:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 1, 2012 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.INTERMENT : St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids, MN.SURVIVORS : His children: Rosemarie (Ron) Craig of Burnsville, MN, Phillip A (Rena) Larsen, Jr. of Park Rapids and Joyce (Tom) Lamb also of Park Rapids; his eleven dearly loved grandchildren: Jill Larsen, Phillip A. Larsen III, Crystal (Kasey) Krautkremer, Kyle Craig, Dusty Craig, Amanda Sharp, Jeff Sharp, Dawn Hanish, Melissa (Parker) Torkelson, Hillary Lamb and Chelsey Lamb; his two precious great grandchildren: Joshua and Elliot; his two sisters: Betty Hemmelgarn of St. Cloud and Mary Williams of Park Rapids and his special friend, Pat. PHILLIP ARNOLD LARSEN, Sr. January 4, 1933 " October 28, 2012 Phillip A. Larsen, Sr., age 79 of Park Rapids, MN, reluctantly left his loved ones gathered at his bedside at Diamond Willow Assisted Living and entered the peaceful beauty of Heaven on Sunday, October 28, 2012. Phillip was born on January 4, 1933 to Herniel and Elizabeth (Schackman) Larsen in Green Valley Township of Becker County, MN. It was in this same area that he attended country school until his father died when Phillip was just 12 years old, at which time his family moved into Park Rapids. As a young man, he worked for several area farmers until venturing west to Idaho where he worked as a logger for a time. In 1952, Phillip entered the US Army where he proudly served his country during the Korean War until receiving his honorable discharge in 1955. Phillip returned home to Minnesota for a short time and then traveled to Alaska where he worked as a driver for the Alaskan Bus Lines for several years. On June 11 of 1960, Phillip was united in marriage to Delores Hagen in Park Rapids. The young couple made their home in Montana for a time where he worked in the mountains logging. Oldest daughter, Rosemarie was born in Montana. After a few years, they returned home to Minnesota where son Phillip and youngest daughter Joyce were born. Phillip worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Northern Improvement Company in a career that spanned over 20 years. Phillip loved the out doors. He especially enjoyed hunting white tailed deer and trapping beaver in Minnesota and hunting for other big game in Montana and Alaska as well as panning for gold. Phillip loved his yearly trips to the mountains of Montana to visit family and friends. He enjoyed keeping himself busy by working on cars, making motorized go carts for his grandchildren and wishing wells for his children. He also enjoyed ice fishing and fishing along the river banks with his grandchildren. He was a long time member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids and the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post #212 in Park Rapids. Phillip was proud to have been affiliated with AA for the past 36 years of his life. Above all, Phillip devoted his life to his children and grandchildren and treasured the times they could spend together creating memories He will be lovingly remembered by his children: Rosemarie (Ron) Craig of Burnsville, MN, Phillip A (Rena) Larsen, Jr. of Park Rapids and Joyce (Tom) Lamb also of Park Rapids; his eleven dearly loved grandchildren: Jill Larsen, Phillip A. Larsen III, Crystal (Kasey) Krautkremer, Kyle Craig, Dusty Craig, Amanda Sharp, Jeff Sharp, Dawn Hanish, Melissa (Parker) Torkelson, Hillary Lamb and Chelsey Lamb; his two precious great grandchildren: Joshua and Elliot; his two sisters: Betty Hemmelgarn of St. Cloud and Mary Williams of Park Rapids as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and his special friend, Pat. Phillip was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Adeline Waldorf and his brother, Jack Larsen. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Friday, November 2, 2012 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church with Father Craig Vasek officiating. The Alleluia Choir will lead the music and the organist will be Joy Horejsi. The casket bearers will be Phillip"s grandchildren: Jill Larsen, Phillip A. Larsen III, Crystal Krautkremer, Kyle Craig, Dusty Craig, Amanda Sharp and Jeff Sharp. Interment will be made in St. Peters Catholic Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the Star of The North Marine Corps League with Ray Vaadeland playing taps. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Thursday, Nov. lst at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday, November 2nd.