William Bill Larson, 98, died Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at home in rural Oklee, MN.

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, November 19, 2009 at Salem Lutheran Church, rural Oklee, MN with Rev. Bob Paulson officiating. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Thursday.

William R. Larson was born February 25, 1911 in Garnes Township, Red Lake County, MN, the son of John and Mary (Johnson) Larson. William was born, grew up, and lived on the family farm where his father homesteaded in 1896. Bill entered the US Army September 8, 1942. He landed at Normandy on Omaha Beach and was in the Battle of the Bulge. He received an honorable discharge November 8, 1945. Following his discharge he returned to the family farm where he farmed along with his brothers. They raised and showed prize winning famous Belgian horses for many years. He was a life member of The Belgian Draft Horse Corp .

Bill was a life member of the Salem Lutheran Church. He enjoyed deer hunting with neighbors at Norris Camp and with friends at Grygla. Bill will be remembered for helping his brother in the garden and for giving away tons of produce to their neighbors and friends. Bill was an active 4-H leader for many years.

He is survived by his brother Carl Larson, Oklee, MN.

Bill was preceded in death by parents, brothers, Roswall and George Larson.

ORGANIST: Marian Marquis
SOLOIST: Eric Mickelson
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Precious Lord, Take My Hand #773, Children of the Heavenly Father #781
CASKETBEARERS: Eddie Larson, Don Stenberg, Jeff Stenberg, Jim Bendickson, Dale Brekke and Orrin Linder
MILITARY HONORS: Oklee American Legion Honor Guard