Pastor George Larson

Pastor George R. Larson, 94, of Evansville, died Saturday, January 13, 2018, at the Evansville Care Campus.

George Reynolds Larson was born in Jewell, Iowa to Hilda Boyd Larson and Olaf Reynolds Larson on November 15, 1923. He died on January 13, 2018 in Evansville, MN. He spent his childhood mostly in Story City, Iowa, where his father was a lawyer. Little George spent his summers barefoot and had two pairs of overalls: one for the week, and then his Sunday pair. In highschool he enjoyed dancing, going to the movies, and getting milkshakes afterward (he loved milkshakes right up to the end). He liked doing dangerous activities like skiing in ditches while being pulled by a car on country roads in the winter. After high school, he served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. Then, he went on to law school, following in the footsteps of his dad and older brother, Peter Larson.

One day his younger sister Kit brought home from college a really cute gal, Delia Loretta Vick a.k.a. Vicki, who he was lucky enough to marry on December 27, 1953 in McFarland, WI. George and Vicki settled near his parents in Roland, IA where he practiced law, and became the Story County Attorney, while Vicki taught high school English. During this time, they took a five week camping trip across the country, and back through Canada. This was one of their favorite memories together. In 1965, they adopted their son, John Matthew Larson, and brought him home when he was four days old. Soon after this, George decided to follow his heart, and calling, and went to Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, MN to become a pastor. In 1971, he was ordained, he and Vicki had a baby girl named Naomi Joy Larson, and they moved to Brazil to start their biggest adventure as Lutheran Missionaries in Novo Hamburgo, Brazil. George was one of several pastors in a large Lutheran congregation there. Both Vicki and George loved Brazil and their joint ministry with the people there. In

1976, they moved back to the U.S., and George accepted a call to Evansville, Minnesota. He was pastor at Faith Lutheran and Christina Lake Lutheran churches from 1976 to 1991. He enjoyed being the pastor to these two congregations, and especially visiting with the people in his congregations. As a family, we loved our yearly camping trips to northern Minnesota, often to Lake of the Isles at Scenic State Park. George was a master at campcraft, and made the experience so easy for anyone that was lucky enough to be along. After retirement, he spent his time pursuing his hobbies of fishing, gardening, solving crossword puzzles, and his major passion of golf. Up to his last day, he was talking about getting out to the course again and hitting a few balls.

George was a beloved pastor, who truly was called to his profession and was so happy serving others in Christ. George was a good man, kind to his neighbors near and far. He was a wonderful and loving husband, dad, and grandpa. He will be sorely missed; although he lived a good, long life, and had many more years than most, we still wish we could have more time with him.

George’s family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the Evansville Care Campus staff and Douglas County Hospice for their excellent and loving care given to him in his last days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to Faith Lutheran Church, Evansville, MN are preferred.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Hilda and Olaf Larson, his brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Naomi Larson, his sister, Kit Larson, his beloved cousin Chad Smith, and his nephews Chad Larson and Peter John Larson.

He is survived by his wife, Delia “Vicki” Larson; his son and daughter-in-law, John and Beth Larson; daughter and son-in-law, Naomi and Tim Anderson; his four grandchildren, Hannah Joy Larson Zody, Matthew Reynolds Larson, Thomas Gerald Anderson, George Daniel Anderson; and his several nieces and nephews.

“He has showed you, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Visitation:  5 - 7 PM Friday, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Evansville, and one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorial Service:  11 AM Saturday, January 20, 2018, at Faith Lutheran Church in Evansville

Clergy:  Reverend Dennis Preston

Interment:  Mound Grove Cemetery, Evansville

Online Guestbook:  GlendeNilson.com

George's Memorial Folder