Rev. Percy Larson
March 11, 1922 ~ September 20, 2010
Percy passed away on Monday, September 20, 2010 at his home in Fargo at Bethany Retirement Living at the age of 88.
Percy Lyle Larson was born March 11, 1922 to Otto and Josephine (Heglie) Larson in Walcott, ND. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith in South Pleasant Lutheran Church in June 1922 by Pastor R.J. Wisness.
He grew up in the Walcott community where he received his public education. He attended confirmation class under Pastor Ballestad of Walcott Lutheran Church. He confirmed his faith in Christ in June 1936.
He went to Concordia College in Moorhead, MN attending his first semester the fall of 1942. At mid-year he transferred to Luther College, Decorah, IA. In coming to Luther he made his home with Pastor O.E. Engebretson and family of the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, Decorah. Their strong influence on Percy became the seed that grew to his call into the ordained ministry of the Lutheran church.
He graduated from Luther College in 1945 and then entered Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN. He graduated from the Seminary in 1948. Upon receiving the call to serve Valle & Willow Creek Lutheran Parish at Rolette, ND, he was ordained as a pastor June 6, 1948. The ordination took place at Walcott Lutheran Church Walcott.
He married Signe H. Hanson of Elgin, IA on June 30, 1948. The four children born to them are Sandra, Timothy, Philip and Mark. He served Valle Lutheran, Rolette, ND and Willow Creek Lutheran, Overly, ND from 1948-1954; Mabel Lutheran Church and Sheie Lutheran Church, Mabel, MN from 1954-1959; North Prairie Lutheran Church and Pilot Mound Lutheran Church, Lanesboro, MN from 1959-1968; Kviteseid Lutheran Church, Milan, MN from 1968-1977; Madison, Orleans, and Peace Lutheran Churches, Ridgeway, IA from 1977-1987.
He married Constance E. Dahl, Decorah, IA on November 27, 1981. They retired to live in Mabel, MN in 1987. In 2000 they made their home in Moorhead, MN. In 2007 they entered Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo, ND.
He is survived by his wife, Constance; children, Sandra (Roger) Hove, Princeton, NJ, Timothy (Connie) Willmar, MN, Philip (Melissa) Moorhead, MN, Mark (Jill) Apple Valley, MN; grandchildren, Jared (Anna)Hove, Erik Hove, Andrea Larson, Jonathan Larson, Elizabeth Larson, Hans (Becky)Larson, Anna (Chris) Senn, Justin Larson; great grandchild, Kellen; sister,Helen Anderson, West Fargo, ND; 2 brothers, Roger (Annie) Larson, Fargo, ND, Omar (Joan) Larson, McKinleyville, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Signe, one infant brother, Percy, and four sisters, Eleanor Herndon, Janice Hott, Pearl Blumer, Marybelle Anderson.
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Abqaiq 31311 Saudi ArabiaDear Sandy and Family,
We were so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Losing a parent is never easy, but with time, the pain eases and the wonderful memories remain.
Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Warm regards,
Jim, Becky, Josh, and
Travis Christy
I am so sorry to learn of Pastor Larson’s death. I have many fond memories of his time at North Prairie in Lanesboro. He confirmed me, and I still have the prayer book he gave me for my high school graduation. He even wrote a special verse in it for me. I’m sure he will be remembered by many. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. We lost Dad (Willard Mueller) a year ago, so I know what it’s like. May you be surrounded by the love of God, family and friends at this difficult time, and take comfort in the promises he taught us about so long ago.
Minnesota City MnPercy was a truly humble man. Everything he said was from the heart. And a big heart he had. Stan Mann
St. Paul MN
My deepest sympathy to the Larson family. I was fortunate to visit him unexpectedly at Bethany in mid-August. We had a fine time reminiscing–including his recollection of my father’s involvement in his ordination. We looked ahead a little to the Walcott church anniversary upcoming in 2014. His gentle and wise spirit will be deeply missed.
Page, ND
My sympathy to the Larson family. My prayers and thoughts are with Pastor Phil Larson and his family.
fargo ndWe are proud of Percy’s accomplishments and send our condolences to the family.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates Dear Sandy and family, I remember first meeting your father in Dubai when he was visiting you, Roger and the boys. He helped us when we got our car stuck in the sand at the beach, it was a wonderful day we all shared. I am holding you in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Love, Mary
Kirksville MOUncle Percy was the most gentle person I have ever met. He always had time to visit with us at family gatherings when we were young.
Most importantly, he was a man my father, Harold, admired. Since my Dad used the life of Uncle Percy as an example, those same wonderful qualities were passed down to me. I pray I can do honor to Uncle Percy and pass to my son those traits of caring, compassion, faith and gentleness towards those around us.
Our loss of Uncle Percy here on earth has most definitely been Heaven’s gain.
With love,
Erick Hanson
odessa mndear Larson family – i grew up in Milan and i remember Pastor Larson vividly. he was very tough with assignments and memorization for Confirmation and Sunday School, but what a positive and memorable impact he has made in my religious life. i will be humming a church tune and remember Kviteseid Church where i probably sang that song a hundred times. I have always wondered where his life lead him, and now i know. I also graduated high school with Mark and lost touch, as happens when we all leave for bigger fields in life. Godspeed to your family and may Pastor Larson forever rest in peace.
Wells MN
Our love and thoughts are with you at this time of loss. Saying goodbye in this life is never easy but we know a new day will come. …will be in our prayers.
Rushford MN
My sympathy to the Larson family. Percy was a wonderful pastor and leader.
Milan MN
Just a thank you to Pr. Larson for his service at Kviteseid in Milan and a special greeting and prayers to daughter Sandy.
Anne
Fargo,ND
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Percy’s family. Percy was always fun to visit with when he stopped at the Big Lot in Moorhead. He always had something neat to share. I gave him some old-old books from Norway. He told me many times how he enjoyed them. Many will miss him. God bless his memory.
Lakeville MN
“Stories of people who die after living godly lives are stories with happy endings.”
“Thanks be to God who gives us our victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Cor 15:57
Crosby ND
My sincere sympathy to the family.
Percy was a special friend of me and my family (Arthur Johnson’s). In fact Percy worked for my Dad on our farm to earn money to go to college. He was a special man! God rest his soul, he will be missed.
Ardel (Johnson) Ingwalson
St. Charles MN
I remember Pastor Larson. My parents were members of the Pilot Mound Lutheran Church and they had a tremendous respect for the Reverend. He baptized me as an infant and guided my early years on my journey as a Christian.
May God bless his loved ones left behind. I was only 9 years old when he left our church, but he was so kind and gentle that he was one pastor I will never forget. The world was blessed because Pastor Percy Larson lead many people to the Lord’s ways.
Fertile Mn.We were married by Percy in 1952 at Overly, N.D
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St. Paul MN
Dear Family of Percy,
I want to express my sympathy for the loss of Percy, but also convey my admiration for the grace and dignity of Percy in all of the interactions I had with him. He was a genuine and kind soul, who delighted in hearing the latest updates and could recall these details on the next visit. I particularly remember a visit to Percy and Connie in 1988 over the Easter weekend when they were living in Mabel. It afforded a lengthier car ride than usual for us and while I was trying to finish reading “Cry the Beloved Country” for a senior paper I was writing on the way there and back, the time with Percy and Connie was calming and helped me to think more clearly about some of the social justice themes I was writing about in the paper. I think maybe we even had a discussion about this book. I also recall the times when Percy was a guest pastor at Stavanger during a transition of pastors, as it was so nice to see a familiar face in the pulpit. Finally, Percy’s embracing support for my family when my dad passed away was very appreciated. My prayers and peace, Kathy Evenson-McDermott
Mansfield OhioDear Family,
Peace to you on this mournful yet joyous occassion as we all rejoyce in the glorious fulfillment of Christ’s everlasting promise.
I have many beautiful memories of Uncle Percy. Interestingly enough many of these involve long car rides to attend confirmations, weddings and graduations. For obvious reasons my brothers and I were thrilled when he and Aunt Signe moved to Ridgeway. 🙂
Your father exemplified God’s peaceful presence to me. His gentleness while interacting with my cousins, siblings and self was always welcome. There were always so many of us running around at family events and yet he mad the effort to speak to all of us. He could always remember our names, ages and where we were in school, a feat that I believe only Grandma Alma Hanson and he could accomplish.
Although distance and my health make it impossible to travel, please know that all of you will be in my thoughts and prayers. May the comfort found in the promise of your baptisms sustain you through these next difficult hours and days.
Peace,
Rachel Hanson McKinniss
(Harold Hanson’s oldest child)