LAURENCE EDWARD LARSON

Laurence Edward Larson, 81, a longtime resident of Palmer, died peacefully at his home on Sept. 26, 2004. No public services are scheduled.

Mr. Larson was born April 2, 1923, in International Falls, Minn. In 1935, he moved with his family to Alaska, where they became a part of the colonization of the state. He was a serviceman in the Army for World War II and settled in the Matanuska Valley upon his return from the war. He was a member in both the VFW and American Post Legion 15 organizations.

His family wrote, "He came to Alaska at the age of 12 with his parents, Fred and Laura Larson, who were colonists. He lived most of his life in the Mat-Su Valley, but has also lived in other communities all across the state. He was in World War II in the European Theater and was a prisoner of war. After he returned to Alaska from the war, he only left the state one other time for vacation in the late 1970s, and had no desire to leave Alaska again after that. During his 60 years working in Alaska, he worked for the Alaska Railroad, Bureau of Mines, Matanuska co-op and Jonesville Mines, but was best known for his expertise in drilling water wells -- up to his death, he received calls for and about water wells."

His wife, Lola; son, John Larson; daughter, Ruby McKibben; brother, Leonard Larson and a sister, Alice Dahl, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his children, Mary Ann Smith, Ed Larson, Jean Faris, Larry Larson, Dan and Sheri Larson, Ron Larson, Fred Larson and Annette and Johnnie Johnson; sisters, Gladys Dixson and Esther Haakenson and her husband, Lionel; 23 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.