Willys Larson

Willys Grant Larson, 67, of Brandon, MN, died Thursday, August 11, 2016, at St. William's Living Center in Parkers Prairie. Willys was born on October 11, 1948 in Alexandria, MN, the son of Orrin and Harriet (Burkey) Larson. He was baptized at First Lutheran Church in Miltona and later confirmed at Solem Lutheran Church near Kensington. Willys graduated from Kensington High School and went on to attend St. Cloud State University, Alexandria Community College, and North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. Willys enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March or 1968, serving in Vietnam. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard in the Pacific Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. In August of 1978, Willys was honorably discharged. Over the years, Willys worked in several places, including Bethany Home in Alexandria as a CNA, for Clyde Machines in Glenwood, as a farm hand for area farmers and while living in Seattle, WA, worked as a landscape gardener. He was a member of the Urness Township 4H Club and was an active volunteer with the Fargo VA Medical and Regional Office Center. In his spare time, Willys enjoyed fishing, yard work, listening to Rush Limbaugh's radio talk show, TV game shows, high school reunions, playing Free Cell and other computers games, listening to classic rock, and time spent with family and friends. Willys is survived by his three children, Dana (Sean) Skogrand of Granite Falls, MN, Delia (Scott) Diercks of Big Lake, MN, and Dawn (Justin) Hill of Annandale, MN; eight grandchildren, Dora and Brady Skogrand, Olivia and David "DJ" Diercks, Christopher Anderson, Brennan, Branson and Megan Hill; one great-grandson, Alex Skogrand; two sisters, RoseAnn (Steven) Hartjen of Sierra Vista, AZ and Vera (Randy) Carlson of Alexandria, MN; and a sister-in-law, Sandy Larson of Alexandria. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Delmer and Emery Larson; and many aunts and uncles. Memorial Visitation: 5 – 7 PM Friday, August 12, 2016, at Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman Graveside Service: 10 AM Saturday, August 13, 2016, at Solem Lutheran Cemetery, rural Kensington Clergy: Reverend Irving Arnquist Online Guestbook: EricksonSmithFH.com

Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Elbow Lake 116 1st Street NE Elbow Lake, MN US 56531

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Previous Events

Visitation
Friday, August 12, 2016
cemetery
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Service
Saturday, August 13, 2016