FARNHAMVILLE - Edward R. Larson of Forest City, formerly of Farnhamville, died Thursday, December 24, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Center, Forest City at the age of 87.

His wishes were to be cremated. Services will be at a later date. Palmer Funeral Home, Gowrie is in charge of arrangements.

Ed leaves behind his sons, Tom Larson (Patty) of O'Fallon, IL. Jerry Larson (Marce) of Georgetown, KY; and a daughter, Sheila Greenwood (John) of Mason City; 8 grandchildren, Dawn Bly (Scott) Seattle, WA, Kami Rigger (Brian) Troy, IL. Jeff Larson (Kelly) O'Fallon, IL, Michelle Boyd (Doug) and Robert Larson (Kelly), all of Louisville, KY, Christine Cantu (Ruben), Heather Welch (AJ) and Tom Greenwood (Angie), all of Forest City; 15 great-grandchildren; Nate Bly, Geno and Brice Rigger, Kayla and Tyler Larson, Derek and Megan Boyd, Shelby and Noah Larson, Jordan and Brady Cantu, Jadyn and Josiah Welch, Tanner and Drew Greenwood; brother, Leslie Larson of Farnhamville, and sister-in law Pat Larson of Shenandoah; nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, David and Alice (Johnson) Larson; brothers, Leonard Larson, Alex Larson, and Arthur Larson; and sister, Emma Board.

Ed Larson was born on March 18, 1922 in Carrington, ND. In 1924, Ed and his family moved to Farnhamville, where he was raised and graduated from Farnhamville High School in 1941. Ed enlisted in the Army in December of 1942 and served during WWII. He completed his training in LaHoya, CA and then Shanangel, PA. He left from New Jersey on a LST ship to Africa for 8 days, waking up on a hospital ship for a month with Malaria. Later he served in the following battles and campaigns: Sicilian, Maple-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and central Europe. In November 1945, after the war, Ed returned to Farnhamville. He then married Doris Fowler of Lohrville, and they established their home there and raised 3 children. He worked as an independent contractor, building many homes, barns and doing construction and masonry work until retiring in 1981. Ed retired in Farnhamville, moving to Forest City in 2003.

Ed enjoyed fishing, hunting and time with friends and family. He was a member of the American Legion #510 of Farnhamville and the First United Church in Farnhamville.