Norris J. Larson

NORRIS JULIAN LARSON was born to Gustav and Emma (Hauger) Larson on July 28, 1919 in Jasper, Minnesota. He was the seventh son of a family of nine boys. He was baptized and confirmed in the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church where he remained a faithful member, serving as an usher and council member. He attended grade school in various schools in Rock County, Minnesota. After graduating from grade school, he worked as a farm hand, helped his dad with carpentry work, and worked at the Jasper Stone Quarry for two years. On March 4, 1942, he entered the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II. He trained at many army bases before leaving Camp Shanks, New York for Europe where he spent three years and nine months in the service. In May, 1946, he married Ann Lois Joiner in Wakulla Springs, Florida. He moved back to Jasper where appendicitis took his wife and unborn son. In June, 1948, Norris and Wilbur Walvatne purchased the City Ice and Dray business while Norris was still being a school bus driver. On August 15, 1948, he was united in marriage to Mavis Aaker at the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church by Rev. Gisselquist. Four children were born to this union. In May, 1951, Norris and Wilbur sold their business. Norris moved to a farm west of Jasper where he farmed, sold seed corn and was the Alliance Township Assessor for five years. In October, 1961, he purchased the Bowling Lanes in Jasper, opening it on January 7, 1962, and running it until 1982. At that time, he sold the business to his son Barry and his wife Gail. During the years in the Jasper Lanes, Norris was also City Assessor, and Association Secretary and Treasurer of the Men's League for many years. After retiring from the Lanes, he worked for Kneip Auto Sales and Jasper Motors, driving cars.

Norris was a member of the Oscar Iverson American Legion Post 133 in Jasper where he served as Chaplain, Commander, Adjutant, and Treasurer, and he was a lifetime member of the VFW. He was an avid bowler, golfer, hunter, pool shark, fisherman and horseshoe champion. He loved to travel and spend time boating and camping with family and friends.

Norris died on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at the Pipestone County Hospice House in Pipestone, Minnesota at the age of 94 years, 6 months, and 7 days.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Mavis Larson of Jasper, Minnesota; four children, Monica (Robert) Hansen of Madison, Wisconsin, Gregory (Jane) Larson of Loretto, Minnesota, Barry (Patti) Larson of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and Randy Larson of Jasper (Jane) of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; seven grandchildren, Tracy (Brian) Skophammer Willem of Cranford, New Jersey, Ryan Larson of Chicago, Illinois, Jaron Larson of Duluth, Minnesota, Krista (Tom) Flaig of Lanesboro, Minnesota, Danelle Larson of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Peter and Emma Larson of Coon Rapids; two step-grandchildren, Paul (Jenna) Hansen of Madison, Wisconsin, and Tina (Chuck Rhykerd) Hansen of Albuquerque, New Mexico; one great-grandchild, Ben Willem; four step-great-grandchildren, Sophia and Lila Hansen, and Charlie and Rachel Rhykerd; and his sister-in-law, Pearl Larson of Montevideo, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his infant son; his first wife; his parents; eight brothers, Merlin, Gerald, Orval, Lionel, Merlyn, Gordon, Elmer and Ralph; daughter-in-law, Gail Larson; and six sisters-in-law.

Memorials are preferred to the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church.