Ellsworth Lloyd Larson

FUNERAL SERVICES : will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, June 12, 2010 at Providence Valley Lutheran Church in Dawson, Minnesota with Pastor Cheryl L. Matthews officiating.VISITATION : will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.INTERMENT : will be made at Providence Valley Lutheran Cemetery.SURVIVORS :Lloyd will be lovingly remembered by his wife and soulmate for these past 63 years, Josephine of Park Rapids; his son, Robert and daughter, Linda Ware both of Park Rapids; two grandchildren: Shawn (Leeann) Larson of Minneapolis and Tracie (Chad) Swearingen of Blaine; six great-grandchildren: Makenna, Kaden, Laynie, and Emma Larson and Kailyn and Braeden Swearingen; four sisters: Emily Sumner of Dawson, MN, Joyce Amling of Elkport, Iowa, Dorthy Main of Richfield, MN and Bonnie (Richard) Ellis of Marmora, NJ; two brothers: Arvid Larson of Milbank, SD and Emil (Sandy) Larson Jr. of Amery, WI; as well as many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. ELLSWORTH LLOYD LARSONApril 15, 1920 ~ May 15, 2010 Ellsworth Lloyd Larson, age 90 of Park Rapids, MN passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at Innovis Health Center in Fargo, ND, surrounded by his loved ones. Lloyd was born on April 15, 1920 to Emil and Nellie (Swenson) Larson on his parent"s farm near Canby, MN. He attended country school near his home and helped with all the demanding work of running a large farm. As a young man, Lloyd entered the United States Navy where he proudly served his country during World War II and also during the Korean Conflict. He served as a radioman lst Class and was stationed in Chatham, Mass., Brazil, Puerto Rico and Alaska. After receiving his honorable discharge, Lloyd was united in marriage to Josephine Helen Linnell, who had met while based in Chatham. The young couple were married on October 10, 1947 in Hyannis, Mass. This union was blessed with two children: Robert and Linda. After returning home with his new bride, Lloyd began a gas station business with his brother in Tracy, MN where they also provided lodging for weary travelers. In the early 1950"s, they moved to Dawson, MN where he and another brother started the Larson Brothers Drainage Tile Contracting Business. In 1961, they purchased a farm just north of Canby next to his parent"s original homestead. He worked both his contracting business and farming with his wife at his side for many years. In 1975, they sold the farm and retired to a home on Upper Bottle Lake north of Park Rapids, MN where he could pursue his passion for fishing. For the past 35 years, Lloyd and Josephine have wintered in Florida and enjoyed their spring through fall season in the Park Rapids area. Lloyd loved the out of doors; especially, when he could be out on his favorite lakes fishing for the elusive walleye. He also planned many fishing trips into Canada with his friends and family. He enjoyed spending time in the forests near his home hunting for white-tail deer or watching the sun rise over his decoys hunting waterfowl. Lloyd was gifted in working with his hands repairing anything from the heavy equipment he used in his contracting business or the farm equipment and tractors used on his farming operation to the family automobiles they used every day. He was a member of the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post #212 in Park Rapids and also the Strand-Saboe VFW Post #5247 in Dawson, MN. Above all, Lloyd devoted his life to his precious wife, Jo; his daughter, Linda; his son, Robert and his dearly loved grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be long remembered as being a friend and neighbor who was always helping whoever needed help without ever asking for anything in return. Lloyd will be lovingly remembered by his wife and soulmate for these past 63 years, Josephine of Park Rapids; his son, Robert and daughter, Linda Ware both of Park Rapids; two grandchildren: Shawn (Leeann) Larson of Minneapolis and Tracie (Chad) Swearingen of Blaine; six great-grandchildren: Makenna, Kaden, Laynie, and Emma Larson and Kailyn and Braeden Swearingen; four sisters: Emily Sumner of Dawson, MN, Joyce Amling of Elkport, Iowa, Dorthy Main of Richfield, MN and Bonnie (Richard) Ellis of Marmora, NJ; two brothers: Arvid Larson of Milbank, SD and Emil (Sandy) Larson Jr. of Amery, WI; as well as many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Myrtle and three brothers: Lawrence, Andy and Vernal. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, June 12, 2010 at Providence Valley Lutheran Church in Dawson, Minnesota with Pastor Cheryl L. Matthews officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Honorary pallbearers will be: Harris Dahl, Arvid Larson, Eddie Larson, Shawn Larson, Linda Ware, Robert Larson and Tracie Swearingen. Military honors will be performed by the Strand-Saboe VFW Post #5247.