Myron V. Larson

Myron V. Larson (Mike)

Myron V. Larson (Mike), age 79, of Menomonie, died Wednesday, August 12, 2009, of pancreatic cancer at home, surrounded by his family with Hospice.

Mike was born and raised outside of Menomonie, to Selmer and Ruby (Grundeman) Larson on May 25, 1930. He attended Tramway School (1936 - 1944) and Dunn County Aggie School (1944 - 1947). He then went to work in St. Paul in construction for Adjustable Joist (1947 - 1957). In the summer of 1957, he went to work for Midwest Steel Erection & later (1960) for American Bridge and in 1961 he started working for contractors around Eau Claire & Menomonie. Mike spent many years as an iron worker foreman in the area.

On Jan. 18, 1958, Mike married LaVera Stratton at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie (Mike was baptized and confirmed at Tramway Church which became Christ Lutheran Church where he was a lifetime member). A wedding dance at the 400 Club followed. To this marriage 3 sons and 2 daughters were born. On Dec. 20, 1962, Mike became known as "Doc Mike" when he unexpectedly delivered his twin daughter, Christine at home at midnight. Little did they know, but they were about to also have a twin son, Curtis at 12:37 at the hospital. Last year they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with their 5 children and grandchildren.

Mostly Mike enjoyed doing things with his wife: bus trips to Michigan, boat trips, going up North to Mercer and spending time with their children. They enjoyed their grandchildren's' activities: baseball games, fishing contests, dance recitals, and 4-H softball games. Mike enjoyed fixing just about anything in his garage. There weren't many things he couldn't fix. He also enjoyed his hobby farm, garden, flowers, hummingbirds, tomatoes grown from seed, and reading local newspapers. Their family enjoyed Thanksgiving at their home with the TV tuned in to one of Mike's football games. He also enjoyed listening to the Brewers on his radio. Mike liked old cars, collecting a 1930 Model A and Model T, Packards, and a 1962 Ford Convertible. He also enjoyed collecting Ford Tractors and antique coins.

Mike will be remembered for his big heart and easy going smile. His willingness to help anyone in need and his keen sense of humor. Even through his difficult illness, he kept his sense of humor and was easy to please.

He is survived by his wife, LaVera and 3 sons and 2 daughters.
Son: Delvin (Debbie Link) and Stephanie (Christopher) Drinkman, Amber and Sarah Larson
Son: Roger and Jessica (Keith) Olson, and Jacob Larson
Twin Daughter: Christine (Anthony Owens) and Jordan Chaffee and Kelsey Owens
Twin Son: Curtis
Daughter: Jenny and Kyle Larson and Channer Schutts
All reside in the area. Also 5 great grandchildren, Nicole and Taylor Drinkman, Dylan, Devynn and Jaxin Olson. He is also survived by 4 brothers & 3 sisters, Junior (Corrine), Gerald (Charlene) Verlyn (Lillian) of Georgetown, Texas, Richard (Linda), Janet (Lemke), Avis (Behling) and Lou Ann (Richard Hanson). Also sisters-in-law Barbara and Marie, uncle and aunts, George (Ellie) and Edith Larson.

He was preceded in death by his parents Selmer and Ruby, also two brothers, Glen and Dwayne.

Friends and family may call between 4:00 and 8:00 PM Friday at Olson Funeral Home and an hour before the 1:30 service on Saturday at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie.