Harold Stanley Larson, Sr., 100, of Fertile, MN, died on Sunday, April 24, 2016, at the Fair Meadow Nursing Home, Fertile, MN.
Harold was born on August 5, 1915, the first born, to Herbert Hagebarth and Matilda (Tilly) (Hoglund) Larson on the family farm 3 1/2 miles east of Fertile. He attended country school near his home. Following his schooling, Harold worked with his family on the farm. He was able to attend Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, MN, to learn welding. This trade was useful as farming switched from horses to tractors.
On April 5, 1942, Easter Sunday, Harold was united in marriage to Ruth Ofstedal at the Faaberg Lutheran Church parsonage at Rindal, MN. They were married for 74 years. Harold enjoyed the rhythm of farm life—milking cows and planting and harvesting crops. He retired at the end of 1980. Harold continued to assist his son-in-law, David Black, with farming into the 1990's.
Harold and Ruth enjoyed travelling in the States via car or RV trips. His first and only plane ride was a trip he and Ruth made to the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Hawaii to visit their daughter and son-in-law, Ginny and Deane. For several years, Harold and Ruth spent winters in Texas and San Diego, CA. They were faithful and active members of Little Norway Lutheran Church, Fertile, International Organization of Good Templars and the Famers Union. Lake Sarah Campground gave them the opportunity to volunteer at Campground. They were also members of the Sand Hill Twirlers, a local square dancing club.
Growing up with horses and wagons gave Harold a deep appreciation for the conveniences of automobiles. Fishing with family and friends, especially Kenneth Bolstad and Edsel Johnson, was a lifelong love. He enjoyed reading, especially WWII and Native American stories, his whole life. When he was younger, Harold was quite athletic, playing IOGT softball and running to where he had to go. Old Time music, played by the Johnson Brothers, was an inspiration and joy to Harold. The family will always remember spending family time together, especially on the North Shore.
Harold is survived by Ruth, his wife of 74 years, Fertile; daughters: Virginia Radke (Deane), Fertile, Linda Black (David) Fertile, and Jeanette Larson, St. Paul, MN; daughter-in-law, Sherry (Mosher) Larson, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren Andrew Black (Kim), Lisa Lorz (Chad), Mark Radke, Craig Radke (Deanna), Jennifer Larson, Mitchell Larson; six great grandchildren; one brother, Milton K. Larson, Wadena, MN, and sister, Clarice Larson Pitch, Los Altos, CA, and several nephews and nieces. Harold was preceded in death by a daughter, Regina A. Larson, son, Harold S. Larson, Jr., son-in-law, Terry Haltiner, sisters: Edythe Larson and Diane Burlingame, and a brother, Earl Larson.


Funeral service will be on Friday, April 29, 2016, at 3 PM in the Little Norway Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.

Visitation will be on Thursday, April 28, 2016, from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, in the Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home, Fertile, MN.

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