Ronald Larson

Ronald M. Larson, 79, of Gettysburg, passed away Monday, February 9, 2015 at the Avera Gettysburg Hospital.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 13, 2015 at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg with Pastors Loren Franchuk and Jeff Adel officiating. Burial followed in the Gettysburg Cemetery. A prayer service was held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 12, 2015 at the church.

Ronald M. Larson was born May 5, 1935 to Walter and Rose (Glaser) Larson at Juanita, North Dakota. Ronald attended a one room school from 1^st to 8^th grade and graduated from high school at Carrington, ND. He graduated college from NDSU. He was involved in agriculture which focused on 4-H and FFA judging teams. In college he was on the NDSU Meats and Livestock judging teams. He enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard for six years and became a First Sergeant and also a training officer.

Ronald worked with his dad on their farm and raised breeding stocks that were sold throughout the Midwest and Canada. Through this adventure he met hundreds of people who became friends. He was always thankful to have worked with Draft Horses and Polled Shorthorn Cattle.

He came to work in Onaka for the Nold’s Weston Shorthorn Ranch, which was a leader in Scientific Advancement. They also were the first one to own and sell Big Round Vermeer Balers in South Dakota. They sold cattle during this time to twenty-three states, Canada, Russia and Mexico. He was invited as the guest speaker in many surrounding states and was also asked to judge cattle at many cattle shows and fairs. Throughout his life he worked with 39 breeds of cattle.

Ronald custom baled for a lot of years for many farmers and ranchers. He also fertility checked bulls for many cattlemen.

He worked for Prudential Financial for many years.

Ronald loved the Lord Jesus Christ and attended church and Sunday school his entire life. He has been a member of Calvary Baptist Church since 1945. Over the years he has taught many Sunday school classes. He passed on his love for the Lord to all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ronald met the love of his life Renee’ Cook. They were married October 23, 1955 in Carrington, ND. Renee’ was an exemplary example of what a Christian woman should be. She loved her husband, family and friends and everyone she came in contact with. To this union was born: Rozann (Steve) Kunstle, Juli (Bill) Moran, Morgan (Raylene) Larson, DeeDee (Todd) Carda, Nathan (Kim) Larson, Joshua (Brooke) Larson and Sarah Larson. They have 22 grandchildren: Annie (Ben) Cochran, Lacee (Robby) Gallagher, Emily, Hannah, Micah Moran, Jessica (Andy) Davis, Tyrel (Ali) Larson, Joey (Lauren) Carda, Adam (Katie) Carda, Mallory Carda (Jared Dean), Clint and Cole Larson (Courtney Barber), and Cameron and William Larson. Great-grandchildren, Hosea, Obadiah & Eliza Cochran, Liam Gallagher, Riley Davis, Tayden and Tucker Larson and Dillon and Noah Larson.

To all who knew Ronald well, they knew that he was an avid Dallas Cowboy’s fan and a staunch Republican (and hoped you all were too!!!)

His pride and joy was his family and he always took in as many of their events as he could to cheer them on. He prided himself in helping his children to achieve their goals and to work hard to attain even higher goals than they thought possible.

Ronald’s last big event was to fly to California in October to watch his grandson, Joey, get married on the beach!

Ronald is survived by wife; children; grandchildren; great grandchildren; his brother, Lyndon (Julie) Larson; and sister, Colleen (Bob) Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Carlton, Cliff, Virgil and Tom Larson and a daughter, Sarah Larson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Christian Worship Hour, Samaritan’s Purse or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Ronald’s arrangements.