Glenn Leroy Larson

About Glenn

Glenn LeRoy Larson, aged 101, died Friday, September 6, 2024, at his home at Cornerstone Assisted Living in Bagley, Minnesota.

Glenn lived an adventurous life starting in St. Lawrence, South Dakota, March 11, 1923, born to Alma and John Larson. After twelve years on the South Dakota prairie in the dust bowl days, the family moved to Solway, Minnesota where he attended Solway Elementary School and graduated from Bemidji High School in 1941. His mother was a schoolteacher and instilled in him a desire for a lifelong love of reading and learning. After high school he worked as a ranch hand on his uncle’s large ranch in western North Dakota for two years. After his military service as an MP in Fort Benning, Georgia, he started his logging career in Solway in 1945. He expanded this business when he purchased a portable sawmill in 1951 and sawed lumber at various logging locations throughout Beltrami and Clearwater counties. In 1960, he purchased the retail lumberyard from Borgerding Timber Company in Bagley, Minnesota which became Larson Lumber (Larson Timber Company). This business expanded into a pulpwood brokerage and a modern sawmill operation. He retired from his businesses in 1984.

On June 28, 1951, he married Celia Gustafsson in Solway, Minnesota and had three sons: Keith, Miles and Kevin. Family life for Glenn always included involving his sons in his workday. As a family, they all enjoyed fishing, hunting and attending sporting events together. As their sons got older and took over the family business, Glenn and Celia enjoyed traveling and being involved with different organizations. Many of their travels were a result from being a board member with Wycliff Associates. He would volunteer with construction projects in various countries around the world. He and Celia also made three trips to the Scandinavian countries, Hawaii, and Peru and other places of interest.

He was a member of Minnesota Timber Producers Association where he served as a director and president of the organization. Beginning in 1962, Glenn served as a trustee and treasurer of Oak Hills Fellowship and Bible College in Bemidji; he also supervised the construction of several buildings there. He served for over 40 years with this organization. Glenn was a charter member of Solway Bible Chapel where he served as board member and Sunday School teacher. Later he became a member of Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Bagley.

Even with his physical limitations in his later years, he continued to love life, always connecting with family and friends. He was always so proud of his family. His last deer hunt and fishing outing was when he was 99 years of age. He was still cooking his evening meals up until the end; the fire trucks only came once. He continued reading and learning up through his last days.

He is survived by sons Keith (Janie) of Shevlin, Miles (Mary), of Shevlin, Keven (Monica) of Solway, 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren.

Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, wife Celia, brothers Lester, Maurice and Ernest, sister Dr. Mildred Larson and many nieces and nephews.

memorial service

Celebration of Glenn's Life

September 14, 2024

Solway Bible Chapel 222 Stevens Ave, Solway, MN 56678, USA

Visitation will be at Cease Funeral Home in Bagley on Friday, September 13, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Interment to follow the service at the Solway cemetery with military honors.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home