Dean “Jiggs” Allen Larson, 88, of Red Wing

Dean “Jiggs” Allen Larson, 88, of Red Wing, formerly of Lake Crystal, Minn., died Friday at Fairview Seminary Home in Red Wing. Born Aug. 15, 1920, in Lake Crystal to George and Mary (Jones) Larson, he graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1938.

During high school and after graduation he worked for the Pete Silver Grocery Store before serving his country in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1942-46. He married his first wife, Fedelis Rudloff, in 1945 at Fort Hood, Texas. She died in 1965.

After the war he managed the Lake Crystal Creamery until that closed and then went to work for the Crystal Co-op until his retirement in 1982. He married VaLaine Jones on Sept. 10, 1966. They made their home in Lake Crystal until he retired, they then moved to Red Wing. They returned to Lake Crystal for a few years, returning to Red Wing in 2001. For the past six months he has been a resident of the Fairview Seminary Home. He was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church and the American Legion Post in Lake Crystal. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed flowers and working in his yard.

Survivors include his wife, VaLaine; two children, Greg (Maria) and Nancy Frederickson, both of Mankato, Minn.; two step-children, Gary (Carole) Jones of Red Wing and Sandra Jones of Atlanta, Ga.; four grandchildren and six great grandchildren; three step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by first wife, Fedelis; one sister, Evelyn Busby; and two brothers, Leroy and John.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. today at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Butternut, Minn., with the Rev. Gene Alms officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials preferred to the church, Fairview Red Wing Hospice or donor's choice. Funeral arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, Red Wing.

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