Alvin Leonard Larson

Alvin L. Larson, age 98, of Starbuck, died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 12, 2024. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 16th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Fr. Joe Vandeberg officiating. Visitation will be at the church, one hour prior to the service. A rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. before the visitation. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Glenwood. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Alvin Leonard Larson was born in Loomis Twp., Hyde County, SD, on February 22, 1926, to Louis and Ethel (Hemphill) Larson. He grew up on the family farm. After graduating from Highmore High School at the age of 16, Alvin attended South Dakota State for one semester before his father took ill and he had to return home to help on the family farm.

On May 26, 1948, in Highmore, SD, Alvin was united in marriage to Elnora Weber. For the first nine years of their marriage they farmed in Loomis Twp., SD, raising beef cattle and pigs. It was during this time that all four of their children were born. In 1957, the family moved to Minnesota where they settled on a dairy farm near Starbuck, MN. In 1971, Alvin and his son, Richard, built a free-style barn where they had a combined dairy herd of over 100 cows. Alvin continued to milk until he was 62 and remained active in farming until he was well into his 90’s, even driving tractor until the age of 94.

In addition to raising crops, Alvin was also an avid gardener. He liked to stay busy and raising a big garden certainly did keep him busy. The day before his death he was out planting seeds for this year’s crop. Alvin also believed in keeping fit and for several years he made a practice of riding his stationary bicycle 20 minutes each day. Likely, healthy habits such as eating garden produce and regular exercise contributed to his longevity. He also enjoyed participating in trap shooting leagues when he was younger, reading Louis L ’Amour western novels, and playing cards. He was a great storyteller and loved to visit with family and friends. He was an avid musician; he played by ear and would sit for hours playing old time music on the accordion and in later years on the keyboard.

Alvin was blessed to be able to remain active and involved in the lives of the people that meant the most to him. He died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at his son’s home, having lived to the age of 98. May his memory be blessed.

Alvin is survived by his four children, David Larson of Fargo, ND, Richard (Sandy) Larson of Starbuck, Marlys (Ronald) Parrish of Fargo, ND, and Ronald (Linda) Larson of Fort Collins, CO; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; two cousins, Carolyn Moreland and Pat (Chuck) Mancino; along with other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Ethel; his wife of 66 years, Elnora; a grandson, Andrew Larson; and his sister, Irene Corum.

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