Alvin Odin Larson

Alvin Odin Larson, 98, a resident of Fergus Falls formerly of Oakes, ND, died Friday, November 24, 2017, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls.

He was born October 18, 1919, in Oakes, ND, the son of John and Anna (Nelson) Larson. He graduated from Oakes State High School in 1939. Alvin excelled in football and track during high school. He worked at the North American Creamery and for his Uncle Harold Lowe’s gas and electric business.

On October 17, 1941, he married Lucile Eunice Shafer in Oakes, ND. Alvin joined the Army Air Force Signal Corp as a civil servant, February 5, 1942, and was trained and worked as an aircraft radar and radio technician. He entered the Navy on June 29, 1944, where he received additional training to work on aircraft electronics. He was honorably discharged on March 7, 1946.

Returning to Oakes, ND, Alvin started Larson Electric that continued in business until 2014. He maintained continuing education for his Master Electrician License for 68 years. He and his wife also ran a Sears Merchant Catalog business from 1971 to 1981.

He kept learning throughout his life. Alvin kept up with the current consumer electronic technology: radio, television, color TV, and solid-state electronics. Alvin started using Personal Computers (PCs) for his business when they first became widely available. In 1981 he fulfilled a
lifelong dream of getting his pilot’s license when his son, Russ, gave him flight instructions.

Alvin was a loving husband and enjoyed being with his family. He enjoyed working with his hands and continued remodeling and making additions to the houses they lived in until they moved to Fergus Falls. He willingly helped out his family with building projects.

Alvin was a member of the American Legion for 72 years, International Order of the Odd Fellows, Lions Club, Oakes Commercial Club, United Methodist Church and its Men’s Brotherhood. After moving to Fergus Falls he volunteered at the Veteran’s Home visiting with
residents.

He was a lifetime resident of Oakes, North Dakota until he moved with his wife to Woodland Lodge in Fergus Falls in 2014. Alvin entered the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls on October 26, 2017.

Preceding him in death were his wife of 72 years, Lucile; parents; brothers, Robert and Charles; and his sisters, Alice Hurt, Margaret Rodine, June Stroh and Shirley Daley.

Survivors include his brothers, Kenneth of Pelican Rapids, MN, Donald of Bismarck, ND, and John (Vivian) of Lisbon, ND; children, Russell “Russ” (Georgia) of Kalispell, MT, Lawrence “Larry” (Pam) of Fergus Falls, MN, Ronald “Ron” (Barb) of Alexandria, MN, and Shirley (Rick) Snyder of Fairmount, ND; grandchildren, Michael Larson, Kristine (Justin) Ertelt, Ryan (Amber) Larson and Ross (Alissa) Larson; greatgrandchildren, Kylie, Josiah and Lucy Ertelt, Dillon Larson and triplets: Gavin, Lydia and Haley Larson.

Memorials are preferred to the Oakes United Methodist Church.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the funeral home
Service: 1 p.m. Friday, December 1, 2017, at the Olson Funeral Home Chapel, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Chaplain Caleb Larson
Interment: 11 a.m. Saturday December 2, 2017, at Oakes View Cemetery, Oakes, ND
Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Online condolences may be sent to www.OlsonFuneralHome.com