Visitation: CANCELLED 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, December 16, 2022, at Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home, Fertile, MN, with a prayer service to begin at 6:30 PM.
Sheldon A. Larson, 79, Fertile, MN, passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.
Sheldon (Shelly) Ardell Larson was born October 8, 1943 to John A. and Clarinda (Lewis) Larson on the family farm 7 miles northeast of Fertile. He was baptized, confirmed and a long-time member of Little Norway Lutheran Church, rural Fertile. At an early age, he was taught how to drive the tractors on the farm and helped with much of the fieldwork. This included plowing, raking and baling hay, and helping with silo filling, and driving grain wagons during harvest. He also helped care for the dairy cattle and other farm animals.
Shelly first attended grade school at the one room country school located near the farm. After the country school closed, he rode the bus to the public school in Fertile, starting in the 5th grade. He graduated from Fertile High School in 1961. After graduation, he enrolled in the Electronics program at the Technical School in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. After completing the two-year program in the spring of 1963, he and a buddy, travelled to Portland, Oregon where he was seeking a job in the electronics field. Not finding work there, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. After basics and advanced training, he was assigned to a large Army base in Bamberg, Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1968.
After returning to the states, he worked at Beta Seed, a sunflower seed company in Moorhead, MN for 10 years. He moved to Breckenridge, MN where he worked at Sigco Seed, also a sunflower seed plant for 10 years. He moved back to Fertile and took a job with Kaste Seed Company. After a dozen years or so walking the fields and delivering seed, Shel felt that he was ready for retirement. He moved in with his parents and served as handyman, helping many neighbors maintain their homes. He was also a regular at Opdahl’s Donuts, especially on Fridays for pies.
He was active in his home church, Little Norway Lutheran Church, serving on the church council, helping with janitorial duties, and serving as sexton for the Little Norway Cemetery Association. He joined the Fertile Lions Club in 2006 and was a member for 16 years. In 2014 he received an Appreciation Award for all the behind-the-scenes work for the Lions Club. He was named “Lion of the Year” for 2015-2016. He served on the Lions Board of Directors from 2008 to 2016 and again from 2021 to the present. He received a 100% perfect attendance almost every year as he was passionate about Lion’s charitable work. He helped the club with many of its service activities throughout the year.
Sheldon was preceded in death by his parents; brothers-in-law, Max Boyle and Lloyd Heckman; uncles and aunts; and numerous cousins. He is survived by his sister, JoAnn Heckman; sister, Anna Jean Larson and husband, Joe Dinich; brother, Curtis Larson and wife, Renee; nieces and nephews, Renae Boyle and husband, Curtis Woltjer, Michael Boyle and wife, Denise, Melissa (Larson) and husband, Dave Cox, and Kristian Larson; 10 great nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins.
Family requests memorials to be given to the Fertile Lion’s Club and to the Little Norway Cemetery Association.
Funeral: 11:00 AM, Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Little Norway Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Visitation: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, December 16, 2022 at Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home, Fertile, MN, with a prayer service to begin at 6:30 PM.
Interment with full military rites: Little Norway Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.
