Vernon Wallace Larsen

Vernon W. Larsen

Vernon W. Larsen, age 93, of Minneapolis MN and Lake Havasu City AZ died at Knapp Haven Nursing Home in Chetek WI on June 6, 2011 following many years of battling heart disease.

He was born October 2, 1917 in Astoria SD to Gelena and Alf Larsen.

Soon after graduation from Astoria H.S. in 1938, he left the family farm for an employment opportunity with McGinnis Aviation in Minneapolis where he developed his passion for airplanes. Vernon enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force on April 12, 1944 serving as an airplane propeller specialist stationed at Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, TX where he worked primarily on B-25’s. He attained the rank of Corporal. There he met his future wife, Evelyn Staffeldt, who was a 1 ^st Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corp. On January 27, 1945, they were united in marriage at Wichita Falls, TX. The following day, Evelyn shipped out to the Philippine Islands while Vernon remained stateside. He was honorably discharged two months after Evelyn on May 2, 1946.

After leaving the service, he worked for Van Dusen Aircraft in Minneapolis, obtained his private pilot license in 1948 and aircraft engine mechanic license in 1949. He then worked with his brother, Johan, in automotive product sales. He invented a bottling machine for their product, “Bars Leaks”.

But his real love, aviation, beckoned and in 1957 he began work as a mechanic and inspector for Braniff Airlines, then Western Airlines and finally Delta Airlines. During the early 1960’s, Vern continued his aviation education through the St. Paul Vocational education system. He also started his side-line business, “Sam’s Fixit”. He retired from commercial airline work in 1982, but continued to collect and repair all things broken. He truly had a mechanical gift and could repair almost anything.

In 1982, Vern and Evelyn built a winter home in Lake Havasu City, AZ where he found other retired aviators and enjoyed rebuilding antique aircraft. Throughout his life he helped to restore many airplanes including a Curtiss Pusher, Waco UPF-7, Lancair 300, Luscomb and  RV-4.

Vernon was a member of Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN from 1941 and Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lake Havasu City, AZ since 1982. He attended Chetek Lutheran Church while living with his son for the last 4 years of his life. He was a member of the Ebenezer Associates Governing Council, Teamsters Local 2747, Delta Pioneers, Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the OX5 Aviation Pioneers.

Vernon is survived by his two daughters and their husbands, Judith Mortland (Dwight) of Faribault MN and Vicki Anderson, MD (Terry) of Cloquet MN, son James and his wife Therese (Terrie) of Chetek WI; three grandchildren, Jeff Wiser, Jennifer Wiser (Brett Hoover) and Heather Cross (Darcy); five step-grandchildren, Tammy Stransky, Shelly Earl (Joe), Stacy Paramore, David Mortland and Craig Mortland; one great-grandchild, James Cross; ten step-great-grandchildren, Laura Elliott, Matthew Elliott, Eric Stransky, Casandra Paramore, Brittany Betzold, Kay Leigh Paramore, Carrisa Bourassa, Jake Bourassa, Cooper Earl, Ayanna Mortland, Katlyn Cross and Kassidy Cross; one step-great-great grandchild, Cameron Elliott; one sister, Frances Hansen; one brother, Johan (Joann) and one sister-in-law, Eleanor Lott. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn. She passed away July 1, 2009 after 64 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his brother-in-laws, Bud Kempfer, Merrill Lott and Arnold Hansen, sister-in-law, Dorothy Kempfer and nephew Robert Kempfer.

Vern’s life in Chetek was blessed by the love given to him from his caregivers over the last 4 years: Anna Mills, Billie Jo Swanson, Jennie Nesseth, Becca Gunderson, Kaitlyn Hover, Lacey Hong, Katie Rice, Karin Olson, Ashley Forehand, Kaydie Green and Brianna Lippold.

A Visitation for Vernon will be held at the Burnham-Ours Funeral Home, Chetek WI on Thursday, June 9 from 5-7pm. The funeral services will take place at Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church, Minneapolis MN, on Friday, June 10, 2011 at 10:30 A.M.  The family will greet visitors at the church for one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow the funeral in Minneapolis.

Memorials preferred in Vern’s name to Chetek Lutheran Church.

Burnham-Ours Funeral Home of Chetek has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.