Raymond Magnus Larson was born June 24, 1914 in Union County, South Dakota to parents Hans and Ragnhild Larson. He died March 8, 2006 at Bethesda Nursing Home in Beresford, SD at the age of 91 years, 8 months and 14 days.

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Ray attended Brule rural school and graduated from Beresford High School in 1933. He worked for the State Highway Department and then attended Aircraft Technical Training School in Omaha, NE. In 1941 he moved to California and worked for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation for 39 years. He married Thelma Nelson in 1942. The couple moved back to Beresford after their retirement. Thelma died in 2005 and Ray continued to reside in Beresford until the present time.

Ray was baptized and confirmed at Roseni Lutheran Church of rural Beresford. In California he was a member of Central Lutheran Church in Van Nuys and was currently a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford. Ray was very active in Sons of Norway in Van Nuys, CA where he served as President of the Lodge and as District Vice President. He enjoyed bowling and attended many baseball and football games. He also liked gardening and traveling. He was a member of the Beresford Lions Club and the International Machinists Union.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Thelma, and three brothers.

His survivors include his daughter Janice Laskey of Eagle, ID and numerous loving cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be 2:00PM, Saturday, March 11 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford. Visitation will be Friday from 4PM to 8PM with family present from 7PM to 8PM at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford.