1950
Douglas
2015
Douglas Larson
November 18, 1950 — August 2, 2015
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same." These words of Lavia Weedn perfectly describe Doug Larson. For more than four decades while confined to a wheelchair, hospital bed, or rehab center, Doug left lasting footprints on countless hearts. He was courageous, strong, determined and never complained or felt sorry for himself. Instead he was always positive, and full of humor and good cheer, lifting the spirts of visitors and caregivers.
Douglas Harold Larson was born to Lawrence "Nip" and Wubena (Moerke) Larson on November 18, 1950. A life-long resident of Ashby, except for one year in Montana, Doug was a sports enthusiast with a spirit of adventure. He loved snowmobiling, snow skiing, ice fishing, and hunting and was able to find creative ways to do modified versions of many activities despite his physical limitations.
Doug was baptized and confirmed at Pelican Lake Lutheran Church (now Peace) in Ashby. A 1969 graduate of Ashby Public School, Doug was named an all-state football player his senior year and he later played baseball with the Ashby A's. He loved watching all sports and was an avid Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins and NASCAR fan.
Doug worked for various constructions/trucking companies until his life-changing accident in 1974. Lifetime friends, the Balgaard Brothers, gave him farming work as he was able on and off through the years. He managed the Ashby Youth Center for over 20 years, where he loved mentoring area young folks. He hand-crafted many pieces of furniture in his garage workshop. In addition, Doug was a Boy Scout Leader and served on the church council.
On December 26, 1993, Doug married Bridget (Palm) in Great Falls, Montana. He loved all kids and was a wonderful, caring husband, father and uncle. He and Bridget lived near the farm site where Doug grew up. He died at home on August 2, 2015 overlooking the beautiful lake and wild life he so cherished.
Doug is survived by: Bridget; daughters Paige and Anna; mother Wubena brothers James (Marilyn) Larson, Richard (Sharon) Larson, Donald (Norma) Larson and David (Dianne) Larson; Aunts Anna Mae (Moerke) Harstad and Louise (Moerke) Gislason; Uncle Harold "Bud" Larson; parents-in-law Mark and Jan Palm; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Tammy (Isidro) Molina, Chad Ness, Rhonda (Steve) Salwasser, Ryan (Lindsay) Palm, and Creed Palm as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He also is survived by his best friends who saw him through so much Dale (Helgie) (Joan) Helgeson, Jack (Linda) Risbrudt and the Balgaard Brothers.
He is preceded in death by his father Nip Larson and his grandparents John and Anna Moerke and Louis and Clara Larson.
Doug's life is a lesson in grace, patience, long-suffering, kindness, gentleness, courage, and power of a positive attitude. Through his suffering, he demonstrated the secret to successful living. "Here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye". Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
Doug's funeral will be at Peace Lutheran Church in Ashby on Friday, August 7, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation: 5-7 PM, Thursday, with a prayer service at 7 PM, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Ashby - and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Doug's Folder
Doug Larson Video Tribute
Douglas Harold Larson was born to Lawrence "Nip" and Wubena (Moerke) Larson on November 18, 1950. A life-long resident of Ashby, except for one year in Montana, Doug was a sports enthusiast with a spirit of adventure. He loved snowmobiling, snow skiing, ice fishing, and hunting and was able to find creative ways to do modified versions of many activities despite his physical limitations.
Doug was baptized and confirmed at Pelican Lake Lutheran Church (now Peace) in Ashby. A 1969 graduate of Ashby Public School, Doug was named an all-state football player his senior year and he later played baseball with the Ashby A's. He loved watching all sports and was an avid Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins and NASCAR fan.
Doug worked for various constructions/trucking companies until his life-changing accident in 1974. Lifetime friends, the Balgaard Brothers, gave him farming work as he was able on and off through the years. He managed the Ashby Youth Center for over 20 years, where he loved mentoring area young folks. He hand-crafted many pieces of furniture in his garage workshop. In addition, Doug was a Boy Scout Leader and served on the church council.
On December 26, 1993, Doug married Bridget (Palm) in Great Falls, Montana. He loved all kids and was a wonderful, caring husband, father and uncle. He and Bridget lived near the farm site where Doug grew up. He died at home on August 2, 2015 overlooking the beautiful lake and wild life he so cherished.
Doug is survived by: Bridget; daughters Paige and Anna; mother Wubena brothers James (Marilyn) Larson, Richard (Sharon) Larson, Donald (Norma) Larson and David (Dianne) Larson; Aunts Anna Mae (Moerke) Harstad and Louise (Moerke) Gislason; Uncle Harold "Bud" Larson; parents-in-law Mark and Jan Palm; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Tammy (Isidro) Molina, Chad Ness, Rhonda (Steve) Salwasser, Ryan (Lindsay) Palm, and Creed Palm as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He also is survived by his best friends who saw him through so much Dale (Helgie) (Joan) Helgeson, Jack (Linda) Risbrudt and the Balgaard Brothers.
He is preceded in death by his father Nip Larson and his grandparents John and Anna Moerke and Louis and Clara Larson.
Doug's life is a lesson in grace, patience, long-suffering, kindness, gentleness, courage, and power of a positive attitude. Through his suffering, he demonstrated the secret to successful living. "Here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye". Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
Doug's funeral will be at Peace Lutheran Church in Ashby on Friday, August 7, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation: 5-7 PM, Thursday, with a prayer service at 7 PM, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Ashby - and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Doug's Folder
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