John "Louie" Larson
1948 - 2025
John Bertil Larson was born August 4, 1948, at Deaconess Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, to Sanford and Borgny (Bjornstad) Larson. He grew up in rural Larimore, ND, where he attended a one-room country school, and worked on a neighbor’s farm while in high school. He graduated from Larimore High School in 1966. He was baptized and confirmed in Bethel Lutheran Church, rural Larimore.
Following high school, he worked on a potato farm until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968. He served for one year in Thailand during the Vietnam war. In June 1969, he married Doris Radke and they later divorced.
Louie then attended Hanson Mechanical Trade School in Fargo. He worked for Sahr’s Sudden Service in Fargo, Chesley Trucking, and eventually Reliance Trucking, retiring at age 65.
Louie enjoyed motorcycles, woodworking, cars, tractors, and basically anything mechanical. He also had interest and skill in art. He was an avid reader and would read the encyclopedia when he was bored during his childhood.
For many decades, Louie was a very active member of the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion (WMSTR) in Rollag, MN. He volunteered many thousands of hours to the show, and served it in countless capacities, including on its board of directors. During the summer months, he would live at the show, otherwise known as “the hill,” and he was always a warm, friendly, familiar face around the showgrounds.
He also enjoyed attending other steam/threshing shows in the region.
Louie is survived by two children, Christian Larson and Jessica (Raymond) Flynn; two grandchildren, Angelena Horvath and Edward Horvath, Jr.; four siblings, Gary (Jill) Larson, Lorna Wells, Alice (Richard) Olson, and Dave (Connie) Larson; an uncle, LeRoy Larson; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sanford and Borgny Larson.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Interment: Fargo National Cemetery, rural Harwood, ND, in the spring of 2026.
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