Harold G Larson

Harold G. Larson, 94, of Orion passed away at Avonlea Cottage in Milan, IL on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, December 29, 2023, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1001 9^th Street, Orion. Visitation will be from 9-11:00 a.m. prior to the service at church. The burial will be at Lutheran Cemetery in Orion. Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Orion is assisting the family.

Dad was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on February 7, 1929, to Esther and Harry Larson.

Many have heard the stories of milking cows and helping on the family farm while attending Gustavus Adolphus College. He then went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota.

After graduation, he moved to Peoria IL to work at Caterpillar. Dad immediately found a church, Salem Lutheran, and joined the choir. He told us he was glad he did because that is where he spotted a very pretty young lady singing soprano.  Yes, it was Neva. And the rest is history!

They were married on December 21, 1957. This year Mom and Dad celebrated their anniversary together!

In 1964 Dad went to work for John Deere Intercontinental Ltd. until his retirement on December 1, 1984.

Neva and Harold were blessed with four children: Lori, Keith, Karl and Kevin.

Faith was always important, so they immediately became members of St. Paul Lutheran in Orion. They both sang in the choir. All four of their children were confirmed at St. Paul.

Dad sang in a church choir for over 70 years and was very involved with several church committees.

He displayed a dedicated sense of community through service efforts. Despite being an Orion transplant, he truly set roots and adopted it as home, while treasuring his Minnesota heritage. He placed volunteerism as high priority, Boy Scouts, Lions Club (57 years), Orion Corn Cob Players, Lutheran and Trinity Hospitals, and Church Council. Dad found joy in balancing accounts and making budgets without the use of a calculator. He loved doing math in his head. Dad taught us to be practical and appreciate even the smallest pleasures in life.

Survivors include: His daughter Lori (Chuck) Dhabalt, his sons Keith (Jenni), Karl (Vicki), and Kevin (Julie). 14 grandchildren: Aron, Addy, Christofer, Jordan, Hannah, Sarah, Lynsey, Nels, Haley, Lexy, Hunter, Dalton, Lauren, and Parker. 6 great grandchildren: Aven, Ayla, Neva, Lucia, Mae, Lily, and some little ones arriving in 2024. Additional survivors are sister-in-law: Ruth Larson, sister-in-law: Barbi (Bill) Ricketts, and brother-in-law: Wayne (Christine) Krantz along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife: Neva, his parents, his in-laws, brother: Robert, sister: Norma, and brother-in-law: LeRoy.

A huge thank you to all caregivers at Avonlea Cottage and Compassus! We just can’t say enough about how much you have been appreciated the last couple of years! Without your genuine love for Dad, I don’t know what we would have done.  He loved you all! 

Memorials can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Orion Lions Club in Harold’s memory.

May we all remember during this holiday season that Jesus is the Reason for the Season! Faith, Family and Friends are how Dad would want us to live. From the bottom of our hearts…God Bless you ALL!