Arnold LeRoy Larson, 95, a lifelong resident of Fertile, MN, passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at the Fair Meadow Nursing Home, Fertile.

Arnold was born October 12, 1918, the youngest child of Ludvig and Emma (Juelson) Larson. He was baptized and confirmed at Little Norway Lutheran Church. He attended Lakeview School then graduated from Fertile High School in 1936. Arnold was engaged in farming most of his adult life, having been deferred from WWII to raise crops for the country.

On December 15, 1946 he married Audrey Dagmar Smith of Nielsville, MN and they settled on the home farm. To this union six children were born. Along with fulltime farming, Arnold also sold insurance for a number of years. From 1957-1958, he sold insurance in Bakersfield, California, and returned to Fertile. In the early 70's, he began selling Nachurs Fertilizer and rose to District Manager. He continued both farming and fertilizer sales until his retirement. Arnold was a lifelong member of Little Norway Lutheran Church and was active in various capacities throughout the years.

Arnold and Dagmar loved to travel and traveled extensively through the lower 48, Mexico and Canada with tours through Alaska and Norway. His desire to travel, meet new people and learn new things was passed on to his children. He had a curiosity about the unknown and always kept up with the local, national and international issues by reading newspapers, magazines and following news programs. He enjoyed a good discussion on just about any issue.

In retirement Arnold and Dagmar moved first to Fertile in 2002, then to Summerfield Place in 2010. Arnold entered Fair Meadow Nursing Home in March of this year.

Arnold is survived by Dagmar, his wife of 67 years; six children, Anita Larson Andres, Omaha, NE, Vickie (Mark) DeSchane, Park Rapids, MN, Jeffrey (Lynn) Larson, Fertile, MN, Rosalyn (Dave) Larson-McCord, Lino Lakes, MN, James (Jennifer) Larson, Donald Larson all of Fertile, MN; eleven grandchildren, Dan (Cami) DeSchane, Rachel Andres, Joe (Naomi) DeSchane, Matthew Larson, Michael (Kris) Larson, Scott McCord, Elizabeth Andres, Tim (Heather) McCord, Samuel Larson, Soren Larson, Kate Larson; seven Great-grandchildren, Kylie, Tahlen, Angel, Jacob, Orion, Zander and Robert, many nieces and nephews. Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, two infant brothers, siblings/spouses, Bertha (Leo) Laurin, Helen (Gustav) Gunderson, Lloyd (Alma) Larson, Joseph (Josephine) (Letah) Larson, Hazel (Martin) Throne, Mabel (Elmer) Hanson and granddaughter, Mary Larson.

Memorial Service is 10:30am, Saturday, June 21, 2014 at Little Norway Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Friday, June 20, 2014, in the Erikson-Vik Funeral Home, Fertile, MN.

Burial will be in the Little Norway Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.