Gatzke – Fredrick “Rick” Larson, 72, of Gatzke passed away on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at his residence with his wife and children at his side.
Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 20, 2018 at United Lutheran Church in Gatzke. Burial will be at Landstad Cemetery, rural Gatzke.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 5:00 p.m. prayer service on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Friday at United Lutheran Church.
Fredrick Bruce Larson was born on May 6, 1946 in Thief River Falls, the son of Fredrick and Edith (Nellis) Larson. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. He went to school in Middle River, graduating with “The Greatest Class Ever” in 1964.
On January 23, 1965, Rick was united in marriage to Muriel Lunsetter at First Lutheran Church in Middle River and to this union 3 children were born, Jacqueline, Cindy and Scott.
Following high school, Rick worked several jobs in Thief River Falls until transferring to Colorado with Dow Key in the fall of 1966. In March of 1967 he started employment with I.B.M. in Boulder, CO. In 1979 the family moved back to Minnesota when they purchased the Gatzke Store. Rick was Muriel’s Maintenance Man. He also worked at Coop-Oil in Middle River until 2007. Rick’s final place of employment was Hayes Lake State Park “best job ever” until August of 2016.
While in Colorado Rick was a very active member of Thornton Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad. The family made many lifelong friends in the 12 ½ years they lived in Colorado. Rick was a member of the United Lutheran Church in Gatzke.
Rick enjoyed reading westerns & history, watching TV, especially the RFD channel, helping out on the Lunsetter farm, mowing lawn, dancing, going to the casino, going for rides to look for wildlife and all the adventures with friends in Colorado. Rick was very musically inclined; he enjoyed playing guitar, accordion and piano. He had a good gift of “gab” and nobody was a stranger. He especially enjoyed supporting his kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews in all of their activities, family gatherings and especially the “Big A Party”.
Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Muriel of Gatzke; children, Jacqueline (Gary) Ryba, Cindy (Terry) Lee and Scott Larson all of Roseau; grandchildren, Amanda Monson, Breanna Monson, Michael (Ellie) Lee, Molly Lee and Brittany Ryba; sister, Linda (Eldon) Sparby; brother, Steve Larson; brother-in-law, Bruce (Diane) Lunsetter; sister-in-law, Jane (Mike) McQuillan; aunt, Arlene Nellis; several nieces, nephews, cousins; and many friends.
Rick is preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Tom Monson; grandparents; several aunts, uncles and cousins; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter & Mable Lunsetter; brother-in-law, Richard Lunsetter.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservive.com
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