Gerald Robert Larson

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Obituary- Larson, Gerald 1

Gerald Robert Larson
Gerald Robert Larson, born February 12,1920, died September
30, 2011 in his home at Auburn Homestead Assisted Living of extensive heart problems. He was 91. Gerry liked to point out that he shared his birthday with Abraham Lincoln, but that "Abe was older." Gerry was born on a farm near Elmont, Kansas to Arthur and Gladys (Uhl) Larson. Gerry left home at a young age with his older brother and spent 3 years working in the Idaho fields and on a sheep ranch. When WWII began, he enlisted and served 316 years in the 29th Army Infantry Division in the European Theatre. He was awarded the Purple Heart, but declined it, stating others were far more worthy of it than he. He was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery, as well as multiple other medals. After the War, he returned to Kansas, where he married Ruth Beskow on April 28,1946, in Lyndon, Kansas. Ruth preceded him in death December 14, 2007. They were married 61 years. He and Ruth farmed for awhile before buying the Olivet Grocery, which they ran for several years. They then returned to farming in Jefferson County. He and Ruth moved to Rossville, Kansas in 1954, where they purchased the Standard Service Station, operating it for 8 years. Gerry worked for a while for Goodyear and Shawnee County road construction, later working for 12 years at the United States Post Office in Rossville, from which he retired early due to heart problems. He and Ruth later built the trailer court on the southwest edge of Rossville and also owned and rented several rental properties throughout the years. Gerry has been a long-time member of the Rossville United Methodist Church and the Jimmie Lillard Post No. 31 of the American Legion at Rossville.

He is survived by a son, Barton Larson (wife Phyllis) of Westphalia, MO and a daughter, Carol (Larson) Heintzelman (husband Gary) of Topeka. Gerry has two grandchildren, Tracey Ott (husband Andy) in Florida and Hillary Larson of Kansas City. He has two great-grandchildren, Atlas and Arden Ott of Florida. He is also survived by two sisters, Marge Evans of Topeka and Novella King (husband Phil) of Pomona. He has multiple nephews and nieces scattered throughout the United States. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Melba and Leota, and three brothers, Lawrence, Jack and Marlin.

Gerry was known for his sense of humor and hard work ethics. He was a man of honor and integrity, whose word was as good as gold. He loved a good joke and had a great love of music and dancing. His children said he and his wife Ruth were "the best of the best." He will be greatly missed by surviving family and friends and all who knew him.

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