Larson, The Rev. Ernest W. 'Ernie'

The Rev. Ernest W. “Ernie” Larson, retired United Methodist minister, 86, of The Meth-Wick Community, died Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital from a worn-out heart. Memorial services: 1 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. The Rev. Bob Voels and the Rev. Lloyd Brockmeyer will officiate. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth; three sons, Philip (Rachelle) of Iowa City, Mark (Donna) of Houston, Texas, and Peter (Charlise) of Dallas, Texas; two daughters, Laura (Dean Jr.) Gesme of Minnetonka, Minn., and Jennifer (Ted) Olson of Hiawatha; one sister, Betty Leners of Emmetsburg; six grandchildren, Greta (Colin) Wicker, Kerstin (Donnie) Balfour, Erika Gesme, Travis Olson, Jacob Larson and Devon Hill-Larson; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

Ernie was born Jan. 3, 1924, in Stanhope, the son of Charles and Elfleda Clark Larson. He married Ruth H. Saupe on June 12, 1949. Ernie was a United Methodist minister for 40 years, retiring in 1986. He served churches in Somers, Callendar, Lake Park, Holstein, Trinity United Methodist in Cedar Rapids, Carroll and Nevada.

Ernie enjoyed family camping, as well as being a very talented artist in water colors, pen and ink and pastels, and displayed his work with Creative Artists. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Matthew 25.

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