Robert Larson

Robert Clarence Larson Sr., 83, of Clear Lake, passed away on Sunday July 10, 2011 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.    
    Funeral services will be Thursday, July 14, 11 a.m. at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church with the Rev. Diana Hoover officiating.  Burial will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery with military honors provided by the Clear Lake V.F.W.  Visitation will be one

hour before the service on Thursday at the church.  Family suggests memorials to Robert Larson Memorial Fund. 
    Robert (Bob) Larson was born on May 9, 1928, on a farm near Kanawha, Iowa, to Alvin and Parney Larson. He attended primary school in a one-room, country school and graduated from Kanawha High School in 1945.   He honorably served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and the Korean War.  For his distinguished service in Korea he was awarded the Bronze Star with the combat V for valor.  He was an employee of the Lehigh Portland Cement Company for over 30 years.  
    While shopping in Mason City, he met and fell in love with Florence Fountas, who was working at the dime store.  After a brief courtship, Bob and Flo were married on Dec. 18, 1948.  The couple settled in Clear Lake, partially because it was a great community to raise a family, but mainly because the fishing was good.  Bob was an avid sportsman and he loved to spend time fishing on Clear Lake with friends and family.   When the water was too rough, he was often busy documenting family history, using his talents to produce a work of art, or simply enjoying the company of his family, friends, his dog, and the large number of birds and squirrels that frequented his backyard feeders.    
    He is survived by his wife, Florence Larson, of Clear Lake; four children and their spouses, Bonnie Larson, of Boone, Iowa, Robert Jr. and Mickie Larson, of Clear Lake, Bill and Kim Larson, of Clear Lake and Brian and Susan Larson, of Ames, Iowa; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; one brother, Max Larson and his wife, Carol, of West Des Moines, Iowa; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Stella Rodemeyer, of McAllen, Texas, Jim and Joyce Fountas, of Mason City, Jim and Mona Hennigar of Fort Madison, Iowa Darlene Fountas, of Newton, Iowa Kelli Fountas, of Mason City, Tom and Bev Fountas, of Racine, Wis.; Jan and Don Chartier, Urbandale, Iowa, many nieces and nephews; and many friends.  
    He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Parney; his brother, Russell; his father- and mother-in-law, John and Cynthia Fountas, his brothers- and sisters-in-law Dalton Rodemeyer, George and Barb Fountas, Geraldine Fountas, Nick Fountas, and Stan Fountas.