Orville Larson, 95

Reverend Orville Weeding Larson, 95, of Red Wing, died Monday, Jan. 21, at the Seminary Home.

He was born Dec. 15, 1917, in Duluth, Minn., son of Ole and Mary (Johnson) Larson. He spent his childhood in Duluth and a small town between Floodwood and Duluth. He attended school in Brookston, Minn., and after his schooling, he moved to Willmar, Minn., where he worked for his brother-in-law as a truck driver. On Nov. 4, 1939, he married Lois Swedberg. The couple moved back to Duluth where Orville began working at the steel mill as an overhead crane operator. The family moved back to Willmar. In 1945, he joined the Army, where he continued to serve until shortly after the war when he moved to Kerkhoven, Minn., and opened his own auto body repair shop. In 1950, he moved back to Willmar where he opened another auto body repair shop where he worked until 1954.

After he gave his heart to the Lord, he sensed a calling in the ministry. He sold his shop and moved to Minneapolis where he began school at North Central Bible College. In 1958, he graduated and began ministering. He ministered in several different parts of Minnesota, including Bruno, Morris, Spring Lake Park, and lastly, in Red Wing. He served as a pastor for 10 years at the New River Assembly of God Church in Red Wing.

In 1979, Lois died of cancer. On Feb. 4, 1980, Orville married Evelyn Fayas. Orville lived in Red Wing until the time of his passing. He was a former pastor and current member of the New River Assembly of God Church and a sponsor for Women's Aglow Ministry.

Orville is survived by his wife of 33 years, Evelyn; three children, Karen (Reverend David) Buschow of Brooklyn Park, Jacque (Reverend Ralph) Simmons of Tacoma, Wash., and Bradley Larson of Minneapolis; one stepdaughter, Karen (Chuck) Peterson of Red Wing; grandchildren, Ruth (Stephen) Malez, Robert (Denise) Buschow, Julynn Simmons, Reverend Rollen (Annette) Simmons, Reverend Ryan (Christa) Simmons, Ross (Melissa) Simmons, Merete Larson, Kjellan Larson, David (Carrie) Peterson, Derrick (Megan) Peterson; 12 great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lois; his parents; and 10 brothers and sisters.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at the New River Assembly of God Church with Reverends Tom Johnson and Ralph Simmons officiating. Burial will be at the Morningside Memorial Garden in Coon Rapids. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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