1940
Ralph
2007
Ralph Eric Larson
March 7, 1940 — August 11, 2007
Ralph E. Larson, 67, of Waukon, IA, died Saturday, August 11, 2007 at his home in Waukon. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, August 15th at 10:00 am at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Joseph Schneider officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 3:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon where there will be a 3:00 pm Scripture Service.
Ralph Eric Larson was born on March 7, 1940 on the rural Dorchester, IA, farm of his parents, Henry and Marguerite (Blake) Larson. He received the sacraments of baptism and confirmation at St. Mary's Dorchester Catholic Church. After attending the rural Dutch Hill School and Spring Grove, MN School, he returned to work on the family farm. On April 24, 1965 he married Joanne Hammel in a ceremony at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon, performed by Rev. Msgr. Joeseph Slepicka. They lived in Waukon, where Ralph enjoyed a long and varied working career. He began by working road maintenance for the Iowa DOT. From there he spent several years as a bulk oil distributor for Iowa Oil Co., Equity Co-op and McMillan Oil Co. More recently he was a mail carrier for the US Postal Service in the Dorchester area until his retirement in 2004. Along with his other jobs, Ralph, along with his wife and family, owned and operated the Main Feature Theatre & Pizza Pub in Waukon for many years.
Ralph was an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church where he served on the finance committee, sang in the choir and was a Eucharistic Minister. He was also active with St. Matthew's Council 1570 of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Knights Fraternity and the Waukon Booster Club. When he wasn't working he enjoyed farming, golf, playing cards and music. He loved to spend time with his family, following his children's activities all through their school days and more recently has appreciated time with his grandchildren and singing songs with them. Since his retirement he enjoyed spending part of the winter season in California visiting his children Susan and Eric. Ralph always maintained a positive outlook on life and everyone who knew him enjoyed his quick wit, sense of humor and contagious laughter.
Survivors inlude his wife Joanne of Waukon; 4 children, Laura Larson of Omaha, NE, Susan (Mike) Bizjack of San Diego, CA, Eric Larson of Irvine, CA, and Amy (Jack) Regan of Postville, IA; grandchildren McKenna and Donovan Bizjack and Jakob and Avery Regan and step-grandchild Brennan Hartley; 3 brothers, Kenneth (Sharon) and Walter (Dianne) Larson, both of Dorchester and Lowell Larson of Waukon; and 7 sisters, Genevieve (Chuck) Rude of Decorah, IA, Karen (Al) Ullerich of Guttenberg, IA, Alice Miller of Waukon, Roseann Williams of Wabasha, MN, Anna Marie (Tony) Danaher of Casper, WY, and Cathy (Norbert) Kruse and Linda (Joe) Eiken, both of Dorchester. He is preceded in death by his parents and 3 brothers, Henry, Herbert and Larry Larson.
Casketbearers are Bob Zahn, Kenny Krambeer, Joe Cunningham, Dave Hahn, Howard Van Ruler, Ken Olson and Gary Hammel.
Ralph Eric Larson was born on March 7, 1940 on the rural Dorchester, IA, farm of his parents, Henry and Marguerite (Blake) Larson. He received the sacraments of baptism and confirmation at St. Mary's Dorchester Catholic Church. After attending the rural Dutch Hill School and Spring Grove, MN School, he returned to work on the family farm. On April 24, 1965 he married Joanne Hammel in a ceremony at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon, performed by Rev. Msgr. Joeseph Slepicka. They lived in Waukon, where Ralph enjoyed a long and varied working career. He began by working road maintenance for the Iowa DOT. From there he spent several years as a bulk oil distributor for Iowa Oil Co., Equity Co-op and McMillan Oil Co. More recently he was a mail carrier for the US Postal Service in the Dorchester area until his retirement in 2004. Along with his other jobs, Ralph, along with his wife and family, owned and operated the Main Feature Theatre & Pizza Pub in Waukon for many years.
Ralph was an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church where he served on the finance committee, sang in the choir and was a Eucharistic Minister. He was also active with St. Matthew's Council 1570 of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Knights Fraternity and the Waukon Booster Club. When he wasn't working he enjoyed farming, golf, playing cards and music. He loved to spend time with his family, following his children's activities all through their school days and more recently has appreciated time with his grandchildren and singing songs with them. Since his retirement he enjoyed spending part of the winter season in California visiting his children Susan and Eric. Ralph always maintained a positive outlook on life and everyone who knew him enjoyed his quick wit, sense of humor and contagious laughter.
Survivors inlude his wife Joanne of Waukon; 4 children, Laura Larson of Omaha, NE, Susan (Mike) Bizjack of San Diego, CA, Eric Larson of Irvine, CA, and Amy (Jack) Regan of Postville, IA; grandchildren McKenna and Donovan Bizjack and Jakob and Avery Regan and step-grandchild Brennan Hartley; 3 brothers, Kenneth (Sharon) and Walter (Dianne) Larson, both of Dorchester and Lowell Larson of Waukon; and 7 sisters, Genevieve (Chuck) Rude of Decorah, IA, Karen (Al) Ullerich of Guttenberg, IA, Alice Miller of Waukon, Roseann Williams of Wabasha, MN, Anna Marie (Tony) Danaher of Casper, WY, and Cathy (Norbert) Kruse and Linda (Joe) Eiken, both of Dorchester. He is preceded in death by his parents and 3 brothers, Henry, Herbert and Larry Larson.
Casketbearers are Bob Zahn, Kenny Krambeer, Joe Cunningham, Dave Hahn, Howard Van Ruler, Ken Olson and Gary Hammel.
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