James “Jim” L. Larson, Fertile, MN, passed away on Monday, October 11, 2021, at Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile surrounded by family.
James Leroy Larson was born September 08, 1930, at Bethesda Hospital in Crookston, MN, to Alfred and Ella Larson of Beltrami, MN. He attended Scandia Country School and graduated from the Northwest School in Crookston in 1948.
He served in the U.S. Army in 1955. He visited relatives in Sweden and Germany while stationed in Europe.
Jim farmed with his father. Jim married Phyllis Melin at Augustana Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND on October 8, 1960. They lived on the farm near Beltrami until 1980, when they moved to Fertile. He also lived in Arizona for twelve years.
Jim had a wonderful sense of humor and could fix almost anything. He served on church councils, the Fertile-Beltrami School Board for 15 years, as township clerk, with the Beltrami American Legion and was active with ARC and Teens Encounter Christ. Jim loved attending his children’s activities and spending time at the lake. He also played softball, accordion, cribbage and taught many kids to waterski. He worked for the Soil Conservation District, Nordheim Electric, Beltrami Cenex, Fertile Cenex, and for Bashas grocery facility in AZ.
Jim is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his sons and their families, David (Maureen) & their daughter, Kayleigh of St. Charles, MO, Alan (Rhonda) & their children, Douglas Larson, Natasha Larson and Nyah (Shane) Linnenberg of Tempe, AZ, Gary (Valorie) & their children, Hans and Thea of Grinnell, IA, and Craig (Heather) & their daughters, Alexandra (Landon) Franke & their son, Elijah all of Fertile, MN; and Andrea (Charlie) Duckstad & their son, Cash of Fargo, ND; his daughter and her family, Wendy (Gordon) Goldhammer of Lubbock, TX & their children: PJ, Major Paul (Alyssa) & their children, Claire and Benjamin of North Carolina, Preston (Veronica) & their daughter, Emilia of Austin, TX, and Winmarie (Evan) Belt & their children, Bethany and Jason of Lubbock, TX. Jim is also survived by Volker Siebner, their beloved foreign exchange student in 1984 from Trier, Germany.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Alfred and Ella; infant brother; daughter, Beth; brother in law, Bob Melin; sisters in law, Kay and Lor; and brother in law, Don Melin, who lived with them for 32 years.
Memorial Service: 10:30 AM, Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Erikson-Vik Ganje Funeral Home, Fertile, MN. Due to COVID 19 concerns please wear a mask when attending the visitation and memorial service.
Visitation: One hour before the memorial service at the funeral home.
Inurnment with full military rites: Fairview Cemetery, Beltrami, MN.
Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.eriksonvikfh.com
Arrangements with Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home
Fertile, Minnesota
