Clarence Louis Larson

Clarence Louis Larson, the son of Celius and Matie (Hansen) Larson, was born on February 25, 1919, in rural Harlan, Iowa. He was raised on the farm, and attended Center Township country schools through the eighth grade. On September 14, 1942, Clarence was inducted into the United States Army. He served thirty-seven months, twenty-eight of which were spent in the European, African, and Middle Eastern Theaters. He was a member of the 400th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. He was discharged in October, 1945.

On February 23, 1947, Clarence married Edna Anna Olsen at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. The couple spent their entire married life on the Larson family homestead.

Clarence was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. He was also a member of the VFW Post #941, also in Harlan. Clarence was an easy-going early-riser who enjoyed being home. In his younger years, he liked to dance and often took his wife and sisters to area dancehalls. Clarence loved farming, and kept an eye on things while enjoying a drive on his and Brent’s ATV. After a day’s ride he would park the ATV in his “showroom”. He enjoyed going to the sale barn to see what the new market values were.

Clarence L. Larson died on Thursday, January 18, 2007, at his rural Harlan, Iowa, home, at the age of 87 years, 10 months, and 24 days.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Edna Larson, on August 5, 2005; and one son, Wade Larson, on July 6, 2001. Survivors include two sons, Carlyle Larson and Norval (Linda) Larson, both of Harlan, Iowa; two sisters, Evelyn (Ken) Nielsen and Darlene Rasmussen, both of Harlan, Iowa; one former daughter-in-law, Sandy Larson of Harlan, Iowa; two grandchildren, Brandon Larson of Harlan, Iowa, and Amber (Clint) Gardner of Defiance, Iowa; three step-grandchildren, Chad (Molly) Harris and Kami (Mark) Burghardt, both of Gretna, Nebraska, and Brent (Jennifer) Harris of Omaha, Nebraska; ten step-great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 22, 2007, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa, with Pastor Heather Ploen and Pastor Steve Chellew officiating. Marge Ahrenholtz served as the organist, and Diane Kastens was the soloist. Casket bearers were Chad Harris, Brent Harris, Carlyle Larson, Norval Larson, Roger Whitson, and Brandon Larson. Burial was in the Jacksonville Cemetery in Jacksonville, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.