1921-2015

Funeral services were Saturday, June 6, 2015, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walthill, Neb., for Kenneth "Kenny" L. Larsen, 94. He died Wednesday, June 3, 2015, at Oakland Mercy Hospital in Oakland, Neb. Rev. Brion Tolzman officiated and Marjorie Stansberry served as organist.

Kenny was born April 29, 1921, to George and Marie (Petersen) Larsen in Decatur, Neb. He attended grade school at Deman Country School, attended Blackbird High School for two years and graduated from Decatur High School in 1938. Following graduation he spent two years working in California and then enlisted in the Civil Air Patrol during World War II. After his brother James died serving in the war he was honorably discharged to help his father with his farming operation.

He was married to Lauretta Beard on July 15, 1944, and to this union two children were born, Larry and LeAnn. Kenny and Lauretta lived their entire lives on the home farm place four miles west of Decatur, farming and raising registered Polled Hereford cattle. 

Kenneth was baptized and confirmed into the Trinity Lutheran Church. He served as an elder and chairman of the church board for several years. He was very active in many organizations, serving on the District 32 School Board, 4-H Extension Board, Burt County Fair Board, Decatur Township Board, Citizens State Bank Board, was a 4-H leader, a member of the Burt County Feeders Association and was Director of the Nebraska Polled Hereford Association.

Preceding him in death were his wife of 63 years, Lauretta; parents; and his brothers, Paul and James.

Survivors include his son, Larry (Janice) and daughter, LeAnn (Paul) Richards all of Decatur; sisters-in-law, Fran Beard of Oakland and Kay Smilie of Loveland, Colo.; brother-in-law, Bill Beard of Rockford, Ill.; five grandsons, Rodney (Stefanie) Larsen of Omaha, Neb., Keven (Pam) Larsen of Lincoln, Neb., Jason (Linda) Richards of Omaha, Justin (Billie Jo "BJ") Richards and Joshua (Skye) Richards all of Onawa, Iowa; three great-granddaughters; nine great-grandsons; and several nieces and nephews, many cousins and a host of friends.

Casket bearers were his grandsons, Rod Larsen, Keven Larsen, Josh Larsen, Jason Richards, Justin Richards and Josh Richards.

Honorary casket bearers were his great-grandchildren, Eryn Larsen, Camryn Larsen, Nathan Richards, Tyler Richards, Ryan Larsen, Sydney Richards, Tate Larsen, Curtis Richards, Chance Richards, Ross Richards and Casen Richards.

Burial was at Hillcrest Cemetery in Decatur, with Military Honors by Robert Klase-Rogers VFW Post #7998 and American Legion Rogers-Crum Post #215.

Memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later time.

Pelan Funeral Services, Oakland, was in charge of arrangements.

Information taken from 50th class reunion booklet, May 1988

Kenneth Larsen:

Decatur, NE.   Wife-Lauretta (Beard) (deceased--class of 1940).  Children-Larry & LeAnn.  We have 5 grandsons.  After graduation I spent a year and a half in CA working in the Lockheed Aircraft Plant.   The next six months were spent in the service at Brookings, SD.  I have farmed & raised Registered Polled Hereford cattle for the past 40 yrs.