Stanley (Stan) Norman Larson
Stanley (Stan) Norman Larson, 68, of Lansing, Iowa, was taken by the Lord on Jan. 6, at 7:15 p.m. (This is written with a sister’s perspective.)
Stan was born July 23, 1948, at St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse, to Norman Stanley Larson and Doris (Cordes) Larson. Stan was born with a fishing pole in one hand and a bow in the other. He spent his childhood playing cowboys and Indians. He (along with his sisters Lois and June, and brothers Dan and David) took the cane poles, crossed the highway and fished the banks of Lake Onalaska. It was 1960 when our mother moved the family to Iowa where Stan took advantage of the woods and the Mississippi River.
After completing high school at Kee High in Lansing, He enlisted in the army. He was stationed at Germany, but soon after went to Nam where he completed his tour and was discharged honorably. He did tell me of waking up to shrapnel hitting his bed while over in Nam.
After one or two years, he married and moved to Winona, Minn., and worked at Fib Right. After less than a year of marriage, his wife took the baby and moved back home. Stan and Butch “Raisin,” who was named that because of his love of raisin wine, lived together until Raisin met the love of his life, Pam. Stan worked at Fib Right for five or six years. He then met Bob Rucker, who had his own indoor/outdoor painting company and Bob hired him. Stan excelled at the job. Later, he worked for Sorensons and Sorensons where he stayed until his retirement at age 62.
He was able to perfect his hunting and fishing skills. He guided on the Mississippi and also guided turkey hunters and helped many learn the hunting skills needed for whitetail hunting. He taught his niece Desi and great niece Charissa, his nephews Donnie, Shawn, Ricky, Leif and AJ, amongst others, how to hunt and/or fish.
He also loved ice skating and roller skating and he was very good at both! Every Memorial Day we would have a family reunion, which included our friends and family. Stan would get his wild turkeys (of course with the bow), cut it up, marinate it, saute it and bring it out for all to enjoy.
Stan’s friends were more like family: Raisin and Pam, Charley, Rich, Bob, Heath, Brett, Sandy girl (as Stan would call her), Steve and Kim, Rippe family, Al and Theresa Steiber, amongst others.
The most important thing is that Stan gave his life to the Lord Jesus on Dec. 5, 2015. When he told me that, his face beamed more at that then any whitetail he ever harvested.
Stan is survived by his siblings, Ann Cerney, of Oregon, Lynne Sheckles, of DeWitt, Iowa, Terri Rogers, of Green Bay, Lois Homewood, of Luxemburg, Iowa, Shari Schieman, of Burlington, Dan Larson, of Columbia Heights, Minn., David Larson, of Lansing, Iowa, Ron Larson ,of New Hampton, Iowa, Carl Mae “Tyke,” of Alaska, Peggy Graef, of West Salem, Norman “Buster” Stanley Larson Jr., of Baxter, Tenn., and Mark Larson of West Salem; twenty-five nieces and nephews; twenty-three great-nieces and nephews and thirteen great-great nieces and nephews.
Stan was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, June Livingood; and a beautiful niece and nephew, Shelby and Mathew.
Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Lansing, Iowa. There will be a visitation from 1:30 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home on Friday before the services. Rev. Steve Oden will be the Officiant. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Lansing, Iowa, is helping the family with the arrangements.
