Grandpa Lorin, ‘Papa’

23 Aug. 2015

23 Aug. 2015. Sarah, Squeak, Papa.

This post will be a collection of photos, texts, videos, etc., of my grandpa Lorin, who died last week.

Here’s his obit:

Stillman Valley, IL, Lorin H. Larson, age 90, died Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at home, surrounded by family. Lorin was born September 22, 1926, in Rockford, IL, the son of Herbert and Edna (Paulson) Larson. He attended P.A. Peterson Grade School where he set a record for the 40-yard dash that was not broken for many years. He graduated from East High School in 1944, the first class to go all four years there. He enlisted in the Navy after graduation and was sent to the Philippines where he served as a Petty Officer. Lorin married Phoebe Gibson on February 21, 1948, and they had five children. Meanwhile he went to Stout Institute in Menomonie, WI, for three years. In 1952, they moved to Rockford where he worked in construction: at Security Building, National Mirror Works, and then with Stenstrom Construction as a superintendent. In 1964, they moved to small dairy farm near Stillman Valley, and he started his own business, Lorin H. Larson, General Contractor. He retired from a position with Norandex Aluminum Company.
Lorin was a charter member of Alpine Lutheran Church. He had many interests: singing with a barbershop quartet and in choirs for Methodist churches in Rockford, the Congregational Church in Stillman Valley, and the Unity Church in Rockford; league bowling for many years, and for a few years, proudly bowling on a team with his three sons; coaching a Little League team; being a Boy Scout leader; gardening; Lions Club, constantly remodeling his house; doing almost anything that could be done from the seat of a tractor; and his dogs. Lorin built a pop-up camper in the early 1960s and took his family on several camping trips, frequently to parks in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and one memorable trip around Lake Superior.His signature characteristic was probably his corny sense of humor. If given the slightest chance to make a pun, good or bad, he took it with gusto. He thrived on having an audience and loved being around people.
“Papa” was preceded in death by his mother, father, and stepmother Margaret (Hedeen) Larson, and son-in-law Jim Rackley. He is survived and deeply missed by his wife and his sister Mary (Dale) Peterson, Bloomington, MN; and children: Sherry (Bob) Piros, Chana, IL; Christine (Joe Stemke) Rackley, Masonville, NY; Larry (Marcia) Larson, Lucky (Diane) Larson, Bruce (Carolyn) Larson, all of Stillman Valley, IL; and George (Heidi) Gonzalez, Rockford, IL; sixteen grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Christ Church Unity, 4381 Manchester Dr, Rockford, IL, on Saturday, October 22, 2016. Service at 11:00 with visitation one hour prior. Memorials to be determined.

More to come.