John F. Larson

John F. Larson, age 91, of Strandburg, SD, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the local hospital.  Memorial services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown, SD.  Pastor Elmer Brinkman will officiate.  The service will be live-streamed via the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel website.

Visitation will be at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown one hour prior to the service on Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

A private family burial will be at Rome Menighed Cemetery in rural Goodwin, SD.  Military graveside honors will be conducted by Deuel County Post #49 of the American Legion, Clear Lake, SD, and the Military Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard.

John was born on January 31, 1931, in Clear Lake, SD, to John H. and Lila (Johnson) Larson.  He attended school in Goodwin and graduated from Goodwin High School.  Following graduation, he worked on the family farm until he enlisted in the US Army.  Upon his discharge from the Army, he returned to the farm.

On May 1, 2002, John married his high school sweetheart, Laura Redwing in Alcester, SD.  They alternated their time between the home on the family farm near Strandburg and Laura’s house in California.  Laura passed away in 2016.

John was bit by the piloting bug at an early age, stealing away on weekends to the Watertown airport and spending his allowance on flight training.  He continued to fly even after a near fatal crash in his J-3 Cub.  He was a voracious reader.  He enjoyed listening to as well as making music on the piano, guitar, and accordion.  John enjoyed collecting firearms, arrowheads, stone hammers and shared that passion with his friends and family.  He was a teacher, mentor, and best friend to all who knew him.

Grateful for having shared his life are his step-children: Cindi (Paul) Licon of Los Angeles, CA, Pam (Richard) Tuskewicz of Temecula, CA, Nina (Danny) Covo of Fallbrook, CA, and Mike (Jenny) Vanderzee of Los Angeles, CA; nephews: Richard (Val) Larson of Dell Rapids, SD, and Tim (Linda) Larson of Bryant, SD; nieces: Brenda (Bruce) Olson of Brookings, SD, Lynnette (Bryan) Christensen of Alcester, SD, and Leslie (Roger) Cutshaw of Clear Lake, SD;  and sisters-in-law: Shirley Larson of Goodwin, SD, and Carol Latt of Watertown, SD; as well as 7 great-nephews, 6 great-nieces and 2 great-great nieces.

John was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brothers: Roger, Bernt, Lyle, and Lowell.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel        www.crawfordosthus.com

Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

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