Merlin Larson

Merlin Larson died Monday, December 21, 2020 at Johnson Memorial Care Center in Dawson at the age of 89.

Private services will be held on Saturday, December 26th.  A livestream of the service at Crossroads Lutheran Church will be available on Saturday at 1:30pm via their Facebook page, YouTube, and their website www.crossroadslutheran.net.  Also, a video of the funeral will be available on Monday, December 28.

A walk-through visitation will be held on Saturday, December 26 from 10am until noon at Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home.

Merlin Eugene Larson was born on October 1, 1931 in Dawson, MN to Helmer and Ellen (Johnson) Larson. He grew up in rural Dawson. Merlin was baptized and confirmed at Providence Valley Lutheran Church. He graduated from Dawson High School in 1949.  Following graduation, he served his country in the United States Army where he was stationed in Alaska. On October 7, 1956 he married Irene Olstad in Galesburg, ND. The family farmed on the farm that was homesteaded by Merlin’s grandparents, where Merlin had a dairy farm for 40 years, raised cattle for another 6 years, and did field work for the neighbor until he was 81. Following his retirement from farming Merlin and Irene moved into Dawson in August 2017.

Merlin served as commander of the Dawson VFW, was the gambling manager there for many years, and was a member of the drill squad for many years marching in many parades and performing many military funerals.   He was active in Providence Valley Lutheran Church, serving as an usher, and also at Crossroads Lutheran. Merlin was the treasurer of the Providence Township Board for 39 ½ years. He enjoyed playing cards, and woodworking as a hobby.  His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him much joy and he cherished the time spent with family.

Merlin is survived by his wife, Irene; his children: Kathy (Ken) Behrendt of Redwood Falls, MN, Karen Mogard of Minnetonka, MN, Kim (Dave) Lokken of Watertown, MN, Keith (Angie) Larson of Hudson, WI;  grandchildren: Jason (Sarah) Behrendt, Ryan (Crystal) Behrendt, Rachel (Jason) Wall, Eric (Samantha) Behrendt, Sarah (Jess) Olson, Jeremy (Erin Skinner) Mogard, Brianna (Jordan Fleck) Mogard, Zachary Lokken, Nicholas Lokken, Isaac Larson, Michael Dys; 13 great-grandchildren; two nieces, one nephew and other extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother and his brother’s wife, Lowell and Birdian Larson.