Laurence Peter Svedin

Laurence Peter Svedin left this earthly life one day into his 97th year on May 11, 2015. He was a resident of the Pioneer and Veterans Home in Palmer.

Larry was born May 10, 1919, in Hallock, Minnesota, the elder son of Peter and Emmy (Carlson) Svedin. He attended school at Hazelton Township School through the eighth grade, when he started working the family farm with his father until he was called to Armed Services with the U.S. Army in January 1942. He was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, and served as a gunner in a tank in the battle for Okinawa. He was discharged in October of 1945.

During this tumultuous time of his life, he met his sweetheart and wife of 57 years, Josephine. They were married Jan. 5, 1946, in Woden, Iowa. Five children came to fill this home; Lorraine, Evelyn, Duane, Ronald, and Leonard.

Larry spent 18 years as the linotype operator at the Kittson County Enterprise in Hallock, Minnesota. When the newspaper went to offset printing, he worked as a delivery man for the local dairy, custodian at the hospital, and finally as the custodian at Grace Lutheran Church in Hallock, where he had many adopted grandchildren to enjoy.

Larry and Jo enjoyed many years of retirement together. They traveled often to visit his brother Lloyd and wife Clare in Minneapolis, and Jo’s brothers and sisters in Iowa and Arizona. They also traveled every year to visit children and grandchildren in Illinois and Alaska. In 1995, Larry and Jo moved to Wasilla, to be near children, grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Preceding Larry in death were his loving wife, Jo, his eldest son Duane, son-in-law Gale Helms, his parents and his brother Lloyd. Surviving family includes: Lorraine Helms of Wasilla; Evelyn and Ralph Wells of Hitchcock, Texas; Ron and Ann Marie of Palmer; and Leonard of Anchorage. Grandchildren to this loving Grandpa are: Aaron and Jeremy Helms, Heather Brien, Holly and Peter Winston, Jason and Kayla Svedin, Brian and Ashley, Tyler, Nathan and Sarah Jo Svedin. Great-grandchildren are: Heather Bea Arnold, Nathan Umbarger, Sarah Mae and Lydia Annilynne Svedin. There are numerous nephews and nieces as well, honorary family members and godchildren Betsy and Bobbi Jones, and Susie, Bud and Gary Arnold.

Larry will be remembered for his great sense of humor, his wonderful laugh and his warm and loving presence as the patriarch of this family. His expertise with words made “Scrabble nuts” of many of us. It was always a challenge to beat him at Scrabble or cribbage, which he loved as much if not more. He had a grand time teaching grandkids numbers and counting for cribbage games. His dedication to hard work and to his family is his enduring legacy to us all. We will especially miss his great big hugs.

Services are at 6:30 p.m., July 2, at Saint John Lutheran Church in Palmer.

Memorials may be directed to the Palmer Pioneer and Veterans Home in Palmer, Alaska.

Correspondence to the family may be sent to Ron Svedin, POB 4261, Palmer, AK. 99645

Our thanks to the dedicated, caring staff at the Palmer Pioneer and Veterans Home for their many years of wonderful care to our Mom and Dad. It is indeed true that angels walk among us.