Earl T. Larson

Earl T. Larson, 93, of Havre, passed away Nov. 18, 2010, from natural causes, at Northern Montana Care Center in Havre, with his family by his side

Earl's funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Earl was born April 23, 1917, on a farm homestead located 26 miles north of Havre, Mont., to Theodore (Ted) and Lena Larson. Earl was one of six children raised on the small homestead farm. Earl attended the Miller Country School north of Havre, helped his father and worked for other neighbors with the harvesting of their crops. Earl loved the land and all aspects of farming. And ranching, which he pursued throughout his life. He was a knowledgeable mechanic, as he worked for Havre Motors (Dodge repair garage) under longtime friend and foreman, Hank Bugden, until he met Martha (Kostecka) Larson at a north of Havre wedding and country dance. They began dating and married on Aug. 31, 1939. Together they carved out a living from the land, farming and ranching north of Havre, raising three children and sharing 68 years of their lives together.

Earl is survived by his brothers, Vernon (Julia) Larson and Everett (Elaine) Larson of Havre, Mont.; his sister in-law. Donna Vandebloom of Billings, Mont.; his son, Robert (Georgia) Larson of Havre, Mont.; his daughters, Mavis (Ron) Lill of Golden, Colo., Marie (Bill) Duncan of Hugh Springs, Texas, his seven grandchildren, Laura (Chris) Merchant of Great Falls, Mont., Nichole (Jeff) Newton of Great Falls, Mont., Dominique (Shawn) Preputin of Havre, Mont., Darla Bomberger of Lincoln, Neb. Heather (Eric) Rassmussen of Denver, Colo., Channon Lill and Jamie (Duncan) Cunningham of Paris, Texas; his 13 great-grandchildren, Jordyn and Corbin Merchant, Taylor and Zach Newton, Stephen and Koby Preputin, Josh and Jesse Bomberger, Justin (Jessica) Stansell, Chelsea, Stephanie and Katie Mabry and Shea Gray, along with many nieces and nephews.

Earl was a member of the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, Farmers Union Co-op, Triangle Electric Cooperative and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His lifelong interests were with his family, his church and his many friends. He enjoyed farming, ranching and providing food for others in his chosen occupation, mechanics and building farm equipment, hunting, fishing, traveling, going to dances with Martha and later playing pool with friends at the Havre Senior Citizens Center. He was loved by his wife, family and all who knew him. He lived a good life.

Earl was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his sisters, Cleo Morse and Lorna Wattam; a brother, Ed Larson; two brothers-in-laws and a sister in-law.

Memorials are suggested to the North Central Senior Citizens Center in Havre, the Eagles Manor in Havre or to a charitable organization of one's choice.

Earl T. Larson, 93, of Havre, passed away Nov. 18, 2010, from natural causes, at Northern Montana Care Center in Havre, with his family by his side

Earl's funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Earl was born April 23, 1917, on a farm homestead located 26 miles north of Havre, Mont., to Theodore (Ted) and Lena Larson. Earl was one of six children raised on the small homestead farm. Earl attended the Miller Country School north of Havre, helped his father and worked for other neighbors with the harvesting of their crops. Earl loved the land and all aspects of farming. And ranching, which he pursued throughout his life. He was a knowledgeable mechanic, as he worked for Havre Motors (Dodge repair garage) under longtime friend and foreman, Hank Bugden, until he met Martha (Kostecka) Larson at a north of Havre wedding and country dance. They began dating and married on Aug. 31, 1939. Together they carved out a living from the land, farming and ranching north of Havre, raising three children and sharing 68 years of their lives together.

Earl is survived by his brothers, Vernon (Julia) Larson and Everett (Elaine) Larson of Havre, Mont.; his sister in-law. Donna Vandebloom of Billings, Mont.; his son, Robert (Georgia) Larson of Havre, Mont.; his daughters, Mavis (Ron) Lill of Golden, Colo., Marie (Bill) Duncan of Hugh Springs, Texas, his seven grandchildren, Laura (Chris) Merchant of Great Falls, Mont., Nichole (Jeff) Newton of Great Falls, Mont., Dominique (Shawn) Preputin of Havre, Mont., Darla Bomberger of Lincoln, Neb. Heather (Eric) Rassmussen of Denver, Colo., Channon Lill and Jamie (Duncan) Cunningham of Paris, Texas; his 13 great-grandchildren, Jordyn and Corbin Merchant, Taylor and Zach Newton, Stephen and Koby Preputin, Josh and Jesse Bomberger, Justin (Jessica) Stansell, Chelsea, Stephanie and Katie Mabry and Shea Gray, along with many nieces and nephews.

Earl was a member of the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, Farmers Union Co-op, Triangle Electric Cooperative and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His lifelong interests were with his family, his church and his many friends. He enjoyed farming, ranching and providing food for others in his chosen occupation, mechanics and building farm equipment, hunting, fishing, traveling, going to dances with Martha and later playing pool with friends at the Havre Senior Citizens Center. He was loved by his wife, family and all who knew him. He lived a good life.

Earl was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his sisters, Cleo Morse and Lorna Wattam; a brother, Ed Larson; two brothers-in-laws and a sister in-law.

Memorials are suggested to the North Central Senior Citizens Center in Havre, the Eagles Manor in Havre or to a charitable organization of one's choice.