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LeRoy Larson

LeRoy Larson, 84, of Stanley, died Thursday, April 17, 2014, in Stanley.

LeRoy Milton Larson was born Dec. 18, 1929, in Fingal, N.D., to Lewis P. and Mabel (Bjerke) Larson. He was raised in the Kathryn and Valley City areas and graduated from Valley City College High School in 1948.

On June 24, 1951, he was united in marriage to Ruth Svestad. He entered the United States Marine Corps on Oct. 2, 1951. They lived in San Diego, Calif., and Camp Lejeune, N.C., while he was enlisted.

After he was honorably discharged in October of 1953, they made their home in Crosby, where he worked for a local lumber company. He was transferred to the Great Plains Lumberyard in Sidney, Mont., in 1956. In 1973, Great Plains transferred him to Stanley, where he worked until he retired in the mid-1980s.

After retirement, he worked at Cenex for 15 years and helped his son-in-law farm for eight years. From 1982-1997, LeRoy and Ruth operated the Regis Theater in Stanley. On Oct. 22, 2008, the love of his life, Ruth, passed away.

Family was always important to LeRoy. He treasured time spent with his grandchildren and cheered them on in sports. He always made everyone feel welcome with his quiet demeanor. He had a great sense of humor and lived life to its fullest. He liked music and enjoyed dancing, especially the polka. He had come to love playing cards at the Senior Citizens’ center, of which he was an active member. He was a handyman and tackled many different jobs for family and friends. He took pride in his work and also enjoyed taking care of his yard and recycling.

LeRoy was a member of the American Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council, and a member of the Lions Club and the American Legion Post 134, all of Stanley. He drove the Vet’s bus to the Vet’s Hospital in Fargo for many years. He also served on the board for the Stanley Housing Authority and the Golden Age Club. Proud of his heritage, he was a member of the Sons of Norway.

May God bless the memory of LeRoy Larson.

LeRoy is survived by: his daughters, Debbie Nichols (Jerry), of Stanley, Karen Johnson (Mark), of Tucson, Ariz., Bonnie Nichols (Randy), of Palermo, and Tammi Colbenson (David), of Stanley; grandchildren, Dawn Locken (Skip), Danielle Nichols, Wyatt Nichols, Shelby Barstad (Chad), Chelsey Wolla (Josh), Quinn Nichols, Max Johnson, Ben Johnson, Angela Schepp (Ray), Brandi Bieri, Cassie Fjeldahl (Kevin), Kyle Nichols (Ashley) and Miranda Benson (Rowdy); 27 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Gerald Larson (Deanne), of Fargo, Dan Larson (Ruth) and Duane Larson (Diana), both of Valley City; sisters, Phyllis Bruhn (Lloyd), of Outlook, Wash., and Linda Olson (Larry), of Langdon; brother-in-law, Lloyd Willey, of Granger, Wash.; and sisters-in-law, Carol Chose, of Fargo, Shirley Bjerke (Melvin), of Kathryn, N.D., and Barbara Gunderson (Richard) of Osceola, Iowa.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sister, Mavis Willey; and grandson, Matthew Johnson.

Funeral: Monday, April 21, 2014, at 2 p.m. in American Lutheran Church, Stanley.

Visitation: There will be no reviewal, however, friends may sign the memorial register Monday from 9 a.m. to noon in Springan Funeral Home, Stanley.

Interment: Fairview Cemetery, Stanley.

Online condolences may be shared at (www.springanfuneralhome.com).