Raymond Russell Larson

Raymond Russell Larson, 88, died August 12, 2014, at Sunrise Senior Living in Westminster, CO. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 23rd at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck, with Rev. Paul Schick and Rev. Dale Nabben officiating. Graveside services will be held at 9:00 a.m. Friday, August 22nd at the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery in Mandan. A prayer service and gathering will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Ray was born October 30, 1925, in Bismarck, and was the son of Lester and Hattie Christiansen Larson. His family farmed the land along the Missouri River that was homesteaded by his grandfather, Louis Larson, who was one of the first settlers in Burleigh County. These early Larsons had a friendly bartering relationship with Chief Sitting Bull and his tribe. Ray enjoyed reminiscing about his boyhood years of prairie life where survival depended on the give and take relationship with all neighbors in the area. This culture of giving and servitude permeated Ray's life and defined his commitment to putting others first throughout his entire life. He was always happiest when he was doing something for other people. Ray graduated from Bismarck High School in 1944. He then served his country by enlisting in the United States Army in World War II where he served in the Pacific Theater in Japan. On February 19, 1950, Ray married his dear "Ar", Arlene Henninger Larson at Trinity Lutheran Church. They shared a long, faithful marriage of loving devotion. Together, they lovingly raised their children and wholeheartedly invested themselves in their family, church, neighborhood and community. Their beautiful legacy reflected faith, joy, forgiveness, and their commitment to their family. In 1956 Ray began his lifelong career with Standard Oil Company at the Mandan Refinery where he was a faithful and diligent employee for 29 years. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, served as president of Sons of Norway, belonged to the Burleigh County Pioneers, the Elks, the American Legion and Amocares. Fixing everything and building anything was second nature to Ray. He and his close friends enjoyed fishing and deer hunting trips in the natural beauty of North Dakota's countryside. His favorite pastime was quietly and humbly contributing anything that would help another. Above all, his grandchildren were the most precious blessings in life. He and Arlene traveled to Norway together and shared several wonderful family vacations to Hawaii. Ray loved his rich circle of lifelong friends and was admired for his devotion to those things in life which really matter: faith, family, and doing the right thing the right way for the right reason. Ray is survived by his son, Ryan Judy Acino, Scottsdale, AZ; his daughters, Rhonda Paul Berg, Hutchinson, MN, and Lori Mark LaBere, Westminster, CO; his grandchildren, Britta Larson, Bjorn Libby Berg, Leif Meisha Berg, Greta Kyle OlsonBerg, Lars Erin LaBere, Thea Kyle Wickey, Stefan LaBere, Rikka LaBere; his great-grandsons, Haakon Larson Wickey and Eivind Amund Berg; and his sister, Charlotte Dutton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene; his parents; his brother Ervin Larson; and his sisters Evelyn Horne and Doris Olson. Ray was a kind, gentle, precious man who will be dearly missed by all of us. We rejoice in the promise that he has returned home to his Heavenly Father. Mange Tusen Takk, Dad. We love you! Memorials may be given to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Raymond Russell Larson

October 30, 1925 - August 12, 2014