Paul Larson

PAUL THOMAS LARSON

Fort Dodge

Paul Thomas Larson, 64, of Fort Dodge, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Dec. 27, 2021. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Callender. A visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service at the church. Burial will take place at a later date in Minnesota.

Paul was born Jan. 25, 1957, to the Rev. Geo. P. Larson and Dorothy (Huseth) Larson in Sioux City, Iowa. As a child, he moved with his parents to Watertown, S.D. In 1968, the family moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where Paul spent his high school years and graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School. After graduation, he attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., and transferred to Bemidji State University, where he met his wife, Marilyn. On Oct. 10, 1980, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Knutson in Richfield, Minn. The couple made their home in Bloomington, Minn.

Throughout his life, Paul worked mostly in customer service and telemarketing, except from 1982 through 1984, when the couple worked as residential counselors at a group home for developmentally disabled adults in Viroqua, Wis. In 1984, the couple moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Then in 2014, they briefly resided in Atlantic, Iowa, before moving to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where Paul worked as an account executive with Aviator's Hotline for seven years.

For most of his life, Paul was passionately involved in local politics and ran for several local political offices. He never was elected; maybe because he was too honest and forthright. For those who knew him best, he was a very caring and compassionate person. He spent many hours writing cards and letters to and visiting nursing home residents, shut-ins and those in the hospital. He had his flaws and shortcomings, but he knew that all his sins were atoned for by the life, death and resurrection of his Lord, Jesus Christ. He did his best to live the JOY principle: Jesus first, others second and yourself last. He will be greatly missed by those he loved and those who loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Marilyn; brother, James (Sooji) of South Korea; sisters, Joy (Philip) of Northfield, Minn., and Rebecca (Paul) of Gig Harbor, Wash.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, David.

Memorials may be left to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 504 James St., Callender, IA 50523.