Erik Larson

Erik Larson

Erik Magnus Larson, 96, of Fort Dodge, died Friday, July 8, 2005 at the Tompkins Memorial Health Center.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 23, 2005 in the Celebration Center at Friendship Haven with the Rev. Matthew Martens of Grace Lutheran Church officiating.

Mr. Larson was born in Ronneby, Sweden , April 8, 1909, to Martin and Tekla (Andersson) Larsson.  He immigrated to America in October 1928, sponsored by his uncle, Albert Magnusson of Gowrie, IA.  He moved to Fort Dodge, IA in 1929.  There he met Alma L. Larson from Halmstead, Sweden, and they were married on May 1, 1936. Together they raised four children.

He was a baker for over ten years in Fort Dodge, Boone, Ames, and Marshalltown.  He then joined the work force at Tobin Packing Co., which later became Hormel. He retired in 1972.

Over the years, he traveled all over the United States, constantly striving to expand his knowledge of the country.  He also visited relatives in Sweden many times over the years, first by ocean liner and  then by plane.  He loved documenting his journeys through photography, one of his favorite hobbies.  Erik was known to be a pool shark at the Senior Citizen's Center.  He was a member of the Svenska Klubben.

He is survived by two sisters, Vera Svensson and Brita Olsson of Ronneby, Sweden, and many nieces and nephews still in Sweden and Australia.

He is survived by two sons, Dr. Gordon (Jean) Larson of Spokane, WA; Paul (Kathy) Larson of Apple Valley, MN, and one daughter, Pauline (Terry) Hartman of Des Moines, IA; ten grandchildren, David and Terry Stoneman, Scott and Patrick Larson, Andy, Carolyn, Thomas, and Elizabeth Larson, Kristina Cummins, and Eric Hartman; six great-grandchildren, and one son-in-law, Bob Stoneman of Victorville, CA.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alma, and his daughter, Sonja Stoneman, and three brothers, Oskar and Ake, Ove Larsson in Sweden.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Hospice of Fort Dodge.

Bruce-Graham Funeral Home and Cremation Center is in charge of the arrangements.

Bruce-Graham Funeral Home