Darald D. Larsen
February 21, 1938 — October 5, 2007
Darald Dean Larsen, son of Elmer and Eva (Petersen) Larsen, was born on February 21, 1938, in Runnells, Iowa. He attended rural Audubon and Shelby County schools and graduated from Harlan High School with the class of 1956. After high school, he worked with the United States Forest Service in Montana. In 1959, Darald joined the United States Army and served until his honorable discharge in 1961.
Darald was united in marriage to Betty Jane Saunders on June 16, 1962, in Manilla, Iowa. After their marriage, Darald worked for various highway construction contractors, working on the I-80 Interstate project. From 1970 to 1980 he owned a feedlot cleaning business with Robert Dierking. In 1980, Darald and his son Eric began Larsen and Son Construction.
Darald was an avid fan of racing and it was not uncommon to find him at home in front of the TV watching a NASCAR race. He belonged to many organizations in his life which included the Land Improvement Contractors Association; where he served as President and Vice President; he also served on the Walnut City Council and as Mayor. Darald's greatest accomplishments are each and every one of his wonderful grandchildren.
Darald died on Friday, October 5, 2007, at his home surrounded by his family having attained the age of sixty-nine years, seven months and fourteen days. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Becky Saar.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Larsen of Walnut, Iowa; his children: Eric Larsen and his wife Rhonda of Atlantic, Iowa; Lori Larsen-Sievers of Walnut, Iowa; Karol and her husband Mark Beckendorf of Grimes, Iowa; Rachel and her husband Lenny Becerra of Walnut, Iowa and LeAnne and her husband Tony Blotzer of Walnut, Iowa; fourteen grandchildren: Tyller and Lane Freeman and Sierra Larsen; Cole, Sarah and Connor Sievers; Kacey and Corey Beckendorf; Breann, Cole, Alyssa and Joel Becerra and Jordan and Joey Blotzer; his brothers: Virgil Larsen and his wife Mary Ann of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; Gary Larsen and his wife Janet of Johnston, Iowa; Leon Larsen and his wife Kila of Yorktown, Iowa; his sister Joy Stumme of Springfield, Nebraska; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Memorial Services were held on Monday, October 8, 2007 at 10:00 AM at the Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca, Iowa with Pastor David Krueger. Serving as honorary casket bearers were his grandchildren with Howard Thraen, Leo Rieken, Ron Mathiasen, Larry Greedy, Dennis Akers, Verle Doonan and Ron Meisel as bearers. Inurnment was held in the Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut, Iowa with Military Rites by the Walnut American Legion Post #422.
PDF Printable Version
Darald was united in marriage to Betty Jane Saunders on June 16, 1962, in Manilla, Iowa. After their marriage, Darald worked for various highway construction contractors, working on the I-80 Interstate project. From 1970 to 1980 he owned a feedlot cleaning business with Robert Dierking. In 1980, Darald and his son Eric began Larsen and Son Construction.
Darald was an avid fan of racing and it was not uncommon to find him at home in front of the TV watching a NASCAR race. He belonged to many organizations in his life which included the Land Improvement Contractors Association; where he served as President and Vice President; he also served on the Walnut City Council and as Mayor. Darald's greatest accomplishments are each and every one of his wonderful grandchildren.
Darald died on Friday, October 5, 2007, at his home surrounded by his family having attained the age of sixty-nine years, seven months and fourteen days. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Becky Saar.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Larsen of Walnut, Iowa; his children: Eric Larsen and his wife Rhonda of Atlantic, Iowa; Lori Larsen-Sievers of Walnut, Iowa; Karol and her husband Mark Beckendorf of Grimes, Iowa; Rachel and her husband Lenny Becerra of Walnut, Iowa and LeAnne and her husband Tony Blotzer of Walnut, Iowa; fourteen grandchildren: Tyller and Lane Freeman and Sierra Larsen; Cole, Sarah and Connor Sievers; Kacey and Corey Beckendorf; Breann, Cole, Alyssa and Joel Becerra and Jordan and Joey Blotzer; his brothers: Virgil Larsen and his wife Mary Ann of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; Gary Larsen and his wife Janet of Johnston, Iowa; Leon Larsen and his wife Kila of Yorktown, Iowa; his sister Joy Stumme of Springfield, Nebraska; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Memorial Services were held on Monday, October 8, 2007 at 10:00 AM at the Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca, Iowa with Pastor David Krueger. Serving as honorary casket bearers were his grandchildren with Howard Thraen, Leo Rieken, Ron Mathiasen, Larry Greedy, Dennis Akers, Verle Doonan and Ron Meisel as bearers. Inurnment was held in the Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut, Iowa with Military Rites by the Walnut American Legion Post #422.
PDF Printable Version
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Darald D. Larsen, please visit our flower store.