Arvy Larson

Favorite Answer to 'How are you?': 'I'm Still Walking on the Grass'

 Arvy was born in Rothsay on the family farm to Art and Navy Larson on June 25, 1930. He had recently come back to roost in the VA Home in Fergus Falls, a place he had carefully chosen to live out his last years. You may have heard him say he had lived in 40 different places in his life (too many to list). He had hoped to live to 100 like his dad Arthur Larson.

Arvy loved farming, horses, growing things and finished High School in Morris, MN West Central School of Agriculture. West Central attempted to provide a full high school experience for its agricultural students.

Arvy joined the Marines (SEMPER FI!) to see the world and went to school to be an Aviation Structure Mechanic, climbing into the airplane engines to fix whatever was necessary. He was shipped across the ocean in a troop carrier (not fun). He was stationed in Japan during the Korean War and said he never lost one of his planes. (Korea USMC-SS - April 1952-March 54). He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal.

Arvy greatly admired Japan and said you could drop a billfold on the street, and it would be safely returned to you with all contents. He also got a kick of bargaining in the markets. He also traveled to Portugal, Panama, New Orleans, Tokyo, and Mexico in his life.

On the GI Bill, Arvy enrolled in University of Minnesota, COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, AND HOME ECONOMICS OF THE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE - and graduated with a Bachelor of Science - 1959.

He told many tales about working in the Saint Paul student union, as chief cook and bottle washer. He also spent a fair amount of his free time dancing.

Along the way, Arvy married Rona Kay Lillibridge and had two children, Susan Kay (May1959) and Ronda Maureen (August 1960). Soon thereafter, he became a single Father to Susan and Ronda with housekeepers and full-time jobs and civic interests.

Arvy met (Mabel) Laurel Engen (widowed) at Parents without Partners and they married in 1967, and moved to East Grand Forks, adding 2 of Laurel's daughters to the family (Bonnie and Mary). He and Laurel had lots of fun, horseback riding, going to banquets, and DANCING.

When Laurel had a stroke in 1990, but her wheel chair didn't slow Arvy down, they took many Snow Bird Trips to Green Valley. He had wonderful stories to tell about taking Laurel into the women's room at rest stops, etc.

During the Grand Forks Flood, they lived on a temporary 'Island' in Grand Forks, and sandbagged the highest house in the neighborhood, and kept generators going to keep the water out, and refilled gas every 2 hours.

Arvy was Laurel's sole caregiver until she died in 2005.

Quick Notes: (See more below in the Appendix and also in the articles and photos in the Magazine ND Explorer)

•Active in ND Toastmasters including District Governor

•Put on Magic Shows (pulled a rabbit out of a hat, and the shirt off a man's back)

•Loved to Dance

•Loved Horses

•Like reading and getting educated about Finances and dabbled in the markets

•Belonged to Rotary, the VFW and the City Council

•Helped start the Thrift store for Grand Forks (ARC)

•Helped start a recovery center in East Grand Forks

•Could make lefsa, grow raspberries and strawberries along with gorgeous flowers

•Auctioneer for whatever you want to get rid of

After Laurel died, Arvy took trips with Susan and Ronda and Mary to see the sights in Duluth.

He took pack trips to the Continental divide in Canada and Colorado. He swore by a sheepskin cover for a saddle keeps you from getting sore.

Arvy also found a new travel companion from Grand Forks, Carlyn Sampsona and took more Snow Bird Trips to Mission Texas to meet up with brothers and Sunshine.

In the last years, after his own stroke, he chose to move to the Veteran's Home in Fergus Falls in 2021. He felt very at home there with the Veteran Focus and the wonderful people and activities he could participate in. While there, Arvy Attended 100 Year Larson Farm anniversary with Mary (Engen Drew.)

Arvy entertained visits from Susan, Ronda, Mary, Tex and others on birthdays, Father's Day, Halloween, and other occasions when Susan & Ronda's group homes were able to bring them.

In the last months, Arvy was hospitalized at Lake Region Health Center twice, and returned to his VA 'home' happy to be back with his caregivers. He loved it there, loved the nurses and aids and they loved him until he died November 23, 2024.

Family Members Wife: M Laurel Tollefson Engen Larson (Deceased)

Parents: Art (Deceased) and Navy (Deceased) Larson

Harold and Donna (Deceased) Larson

Dean (Deceased) and Barbara Larson

Eldon and Karen (Deceased) Larson

Larson Nieces and Nephews

Daughters: Susan Larson - Fosston, Ronda Larson - Crookston, Mary Drew, Bonnie (Theron) Sims

Grandchildren Justin (Elizabeth), Zach and Krista (Josh Kleve); Theron Jr, James, Amy Sims; Christina Frost

This was written by Mary Drew so much of the information about Arvy’s life may have been missed. 

Burial

Arvy's Ashes will be buried next to Laurel Larson's in the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, 1825 46th St, Mandan, ND 58554.

Open House Celebration of Life: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15, 2024 at the MN Veteran's Home in Fergus Falls.

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com

APPENDIX – Yellowstone Job Application 2007

After Laurel Died – Arvy wanted to make up for things he had missed in life from 1990 to 2005.

The following his job application for becoming a volunteer at Yellowstone National Park. The application was sent past the deadline, and he never heard back from them, but this job application tells you a lot about this man!

April 11, 2007

Dear Sir or Madam,This document supplements my application for seasonal employment at Yellowstone submitted on 4/11/2007. 

Life has been good to me. I like people, agriculture and money, and that was a big part in my career as a banker before I retired. The children have all left the nest. I was my wife’s primary caregiver after an aneurism left her partially paralyzed in 1990. I was nurse, chief cook, bottle washer, gardener & housekeeper 24/7, until she passed away in July of 2005. Since then, I have been traveling some and have done seasonal farm work.

Now I am looking for a new experience in a beautiful mountain setting. When I retired, a career test said my strongest points were in range management, something I have always enjoyed.

At 76 years young, I know I have a few grey hairs but I can still do thirty or more push-ups at a time and walk 2 miles or more at a time. I am in good health, weigh in about 187 pounds, height 6 ft. I take no pills except one aspirin a day, and I don’t smoke or drink. I have no problem living in a dormitory with others, or a cabin outpost.

Why have I made this job application? Because management is, combining the resources to yield the maximum profit and personal satisfaction to all concerned. I like to help everyone have the best in life, dignity and purpose. When I looked at the job list, I feel I may have something that Yellowstone National Park can use.

Thanks for your time and effort. Time for coffee with the family. 

Sincerely,Arvy Larson

Fax 701-746-8135

Phone: 701-746-8135

Mobile: 952-994-8586

The following pages include notes on how my experience would be valuable for the positions I have requested on the application, a list of my hobbies, my education, and a detailed job chronolog.

Maintenance Jobs

In 2006, spring & fall farm work. I’ve driven tractors with implements, and 2½ to 3 ton trucks, including servicing, routine maintenance & repair.

In 2006, I reshingled and painted my ranch style house single-handed. In the past, I have bought old houses and renovated them, doing all my own plumbing, carpentry work, and electrical work. I have rewired the houses, new circuit breaker boxes & the works. After the 2nd house, the electrical inspector for the area said ‘call me when you are done’. I never had to redo a thing.

I was trained and worked as a Hydraulics mechanic on jet fighter aircraft – working with hydraulic pressure of up to 2000 PSI – repair, replace, support and maintain all hydraulic equipment on the aircraft. I also worked in supply, driving forklift & working.

Security Jobs

As 1st Vice President of 1st National Bank of East Grand Forks and Senior Security Officer, it was up to me to write policy, answer alarms, solve problems & be on call 24/7.

In the Marine Corps, I pulled roving security patrol guard duty on ship while going from Virginia to Japan, via the Panama Canal, as well as guard duty at the base in Japan.

Wrangler/Driver Jobs

-I enjoy riding horseback: I have ridden on the Continental Dividein Gunnison National Forest in Colorado (1989)in Banff National Park, Alberta Canada (2005)

-Leatherwork is a hobby of mine. I have repaired horse harnesses & saddles; made my own saddlebags and 22 rifle scabbard.

-I enjoyed ‘playing cowboy’ on my own farm by buying bull calves that needed a lot of Tender Loving Care (TLC), cleaning them up by dehorning, worming, castrating & feeding them for 3 months or more, and the selling them at a profit. I bought and trained colts to help with the work. 

I have cut rails and post for fencing; cut firewood & cleaned fence lines and am comfortable using power tools.

In the past, I have trained colts to ride and drive, also to haul grain & corn bundles & go up to threshing machines, & silo fillers in full operation.

I have attended training programs by Ray Hunt, Bryan Neibert, John Lions & have CDs of Will Howe, Pat Parnell & others. I believe in the ‘round pen’ method. 

- I would enjoy taking a horse & pack animal to clear trails

Food Service Jobs

While at Marine Corps schools, I was assigned kitchen duty for a month. In the marines, kitchen duty is rotated. I ended up washing dishes and after two weeks became scullery or dishwasher captain with 6 men working with me. I have volunteered to do dishes many times at church suppers, pancake feeds fundraisers, etc. 

During college (1954-1958), I worked as a Senior Food Service Worker at the U of M (St Paul) Student Union for 4 years. It was a one-man operation, cooked, washed dishes, and tables, counted the money & locked up. When I started they were ready to close the night shift. After the second quarter, I had doubled the dollar volume – how? By not playing pool and staying behind the counter where I belonged, & giving service.

Hobbies (Past & Present)

Investing Money to make a profit (Current)

Gardening: I grow apples, plums, cherries, raspberries & many flowers; have used drip irrigation. I worked one summer at the horticulture department at the University of Minnesota, St Paul campus, cross breeding pumpkins and squash.

Toastmasters International: advanced through the programs/offices and had the honor of becoming President of District 20 (ND & NW MN)

Auctioneering: selling everything and anything

Doing Magic tricks for the public; pull a rabbit out of the hat, take the shirt off someone’s back, etc.

Dancing

Reading: Nonfiction

Sewing: I have my own sewing machine, and as a single father for seven years, sewed and repaired clothing for the family. Made a tent.

Education: 

U of Wisconsin School of Banking. Graduated from the summer program after the 3-year professional course.

U of M – 1954-1959Graduated with a major in Agricultural Economics, and a minor in animal industry.

Employment History:

(1987 - Current) Retired

(1988 - 2006) Part Time Farm Work: McWalter Farms, Inc. I worked for them during the busy spring planting and fall harvest. My job has been to drive their 150 plus horsepower tractors, tilling the land and operating their 12 row beet rotobeater (cutting and defoliating the tops). To do the job right, the machine can only be off center of the row by no more than about 1.5 inches. The trucks I drove have a tandem axel and carry 25,000 -30,000 pound payloads. To unload at the beet plant, one can be off-center no more than 6 inches. The total weight of the truck and grain or beets is usually 45,000 to 50,000 pounds.

(1985 - 1987) I was Senior Vice President of FBS Credit Services (Grand Forks Branch) & worked myself out of a job – closing the doors when the last loan was liquidated. FBS Credit Services is a corporation formed by First Bank Systems (a holding company for 57 banks) to buy loans the new buyers did not want to purchase when a group of banks were sold off. It was our job to help the borrowers find new homes or liquidate. 

(1982 – 1985) First National Bank Lidgerwood, ND. As CEO & President of the Board of Directors, the buck stopped at my desk. I was responsible for all areas of the bank and managed the bank..(1966 - 1982) Recommended by president of the bank in Cando, ND, the president of First National Bank in East Grand Forks asked me to interview to be Vice President. I like people, agriculture and money. It was a good fit for 19 years.

(1958 - 1966) Production Credit Association (PCA) – Grafton, ND. Upon Graduation from the U of M, I entered a training program at the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank, St Paul, discounting and purchasing loans from the local PCA’s. My job was to evaluate the loans for credit-worthiness and documentation. From there I was sent out to train at a local PCA, learning the ropes from that end. On less than one day’s notice, I was transferred to Grafton, ND. Grafton was about 500 miles away, and I was there at 1PM. The board of directors was meeting – they called me in and said I was hired. In 1962, they opened a new office in Cavalier, ND, and asked me to move there & open the office. In 1964, the manager of the Cando office was hired by the competing bank, and the officers made it known he planned to take half of the loan volume with him. The board called me in, told me the story and said we want you to go to Cando and stop him from taking the loans with him. So I moved. After a year, I had more of the banks loans than they had taken from my office.

(April 1952 to March 1954) US Marines – Schools: Navy Aircraft school – Jacksonville, FL & Memphis, TN. Graduated from Structural Aircraft school Specialty: Hydraulics. Job Description: Hydraulics mechanic on jet fighter aircraft – working with hydraulic pressure of up to 2000 PSI – repair, replace, support and maintain all hydraulic equipment on the aircraft. Short Term Assignment: I was assigned to inventory supplies and equipment for 1500 troops being loaded on ship in Norfolk, VA &. unloading detail in Japan, after going through the Panama Canal. Promoted meritoriously to Buck Sergeant. Discharged Honorably in April of 1954. Returned home to my hay-bailing business. 

Assistant Dormitory Proctor for about 70 boys, ages 13 – 15. Supervised study hour, and sleep in the dorm. Be available in case of emergency.

Was 4-H club assistant 2 summers in Minnesota. Attended club tours, demonstrated the differing sexes in pumpkins & squash. Trimmed calves hooves, taught showmanship. I was responsible for taking the winners to the Minnesota State Fair, and watching out for their welfare.