Larry D. Vigen, 75
Goodridge – Larry Vigen, 75, of Goodridge, passed away on Friday, July 14, 2017 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND due to complications from cancer, with his loving family at his side.
The funeral service to celebrate Larry’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 21, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church in Goodridge, with Rev. Kristin Ostercamp officiating.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will follow at the Goodridge Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2793, American Legion Post 117 and Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard.
Larry Dean Vigen was born on April 8, 1942 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN the son of Ervin and Alice (Wold) Vigen. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at Grygla. Larry graduated from Goodridge High School in 1960.
On March 17, 1964, Larry entered into service with the United States Army. He was awarded the Expert Rifle Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and was Honorably Discharged on March 12, 1966.
On October 5, 1968, Larry was united in marriage to Mayvonne Adele Anderson at the Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla. They made their home in New Hope, for a short time where Larry worked as a heavy equipment operator. The couple returned to make their home in Goodridge and in 1973, purchased their farm in Moylan Township, Marshall County, where they have continued to reside. This union was blessed with three children, David, Paul and Leah.
Larry owned and operated a small grain and hog farm from 1973 until 1997. Through the years, Larry also worked for John Lovly, Arland Ellingson, and was a Star Route mail carrier. A couple years after selling his farm equipment, Larry reactivated his Operating Engineers Local 49 membership and went on the road running heavy equipment. After retirement, he took on seasonal farm work driving trucks and tractors for Stoltman Farms, a job which he truly looked forward to every year.
He enjoyed tinkering and fixing on anything he could get his hands on; Larry was very creative. He liked to make his own special tools and devices, and also enjoyed hunting, fishing and baseball. Larry was a member of the VFW Post, Lions Club where he received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, American Legion Post, and served on the Goodridge School Board for 16 years.
Survivors include his loving wife of 48 years, Mayvonne; children, David (Missy) Vigen, Paul (Kristin) Vigen, and Leah (Dallas) Bothum; grandchildren, Brenden and Kailee Vigen and Nevada Bothum; siblings, Marcia (Russ) Johnson, LeRoy (Madelyn) Vigen, Susan (Gene) Paulson, Patricia (Larry) Grabowska, Howard (Mary) Vigen; brother-in-law, Dalton (Peg) Anderson; sister-in-law, Donna (Curtiss) Quam; and many other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robbie Vigen in 1964 and mother and father-in-law, Adella and Alton Anderson.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
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