Archie Larson

IRON MOUNTAIN - Archie C. Larson, 84, of Iron Mountain, died Saturday March 6, 2010, at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain. He was born Sept. 30, 1925, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Alfred and Clara (Jarstad) Larson. Archie was a lifelong resident of the area. He graduated from Kingsford High School and spent three years in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Upon being honorably discharged, he attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Archie sailed the Great Lakes for several years and worked on the ore boats. Archie married the former Mary Spera in Norway on June 17, 1950, and she preceded him in death on March 9, 2008. Archie was a boiler house operator at Kimberly Clark for 38 years before retiring in 1988. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 where he served as a former 2nd vice commander, and a former member of the Moose Lodge. He also belonged to Partanen's Ringers Horseshoe Club and a former member of the Moose Lodge bowling team and Rice's Juice bowling team. Archie was a dedicated veteran and volunteered at the VA Hospital and volunteered for bingo and various activities at the legion. He loved hunting, camping, and gardening. He was an avid Packer, Tiger fan, and a diehard Flivver fan. He loved to go to Vegas and made several trips there with his son, Danny. Archie was a strong family man and a proud grandpa. He is survived by one son, Daniel Larson of Iron Mountain; one daughter, Patti (David) McKee of Kingsford; two grandchildren, Matt McKee (Heather Schoen) and Marc McKee (Teresa Carr), all of Kingsford; one special cousin, Don (Donna) Larson of Alma Center, Wis. and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Gladys Senger and Helen Stamolis, and two infant sisters. Funeral services will be Friday at 12:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church. Msgr. James Kaczmarek will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial services will follow at Cemetery Park with full military honors. A luncheon will follow at 2 p.m. at the Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50. Condolences to the family of Archie Larson may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.