Verlyn "Lars" R. Larson

Verlyn "Lars" R. Larson, 85, of Coon Valley, died Tuesday June 4, 2013 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. He was born March 22, 1928 in the Town of Hamburg to Melvin and Laura (Hagen) Larson. Verlyn was baptized and confirmed at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. He graduated from Westby High School in 1946. Verlyn served in the U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division for over 4 years with a tour of duty in Korea from July 1950 to August 1951 followed by Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana. Verlyn married Elizabeth Dahlen on August 25, 1951 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Verlyn was employed at the Westby Coon Valley State Bank for 38 years, retiring in 1991. He then worked part time at the Cashton Farm Supply and Co-op Elevator for 4 years, retiring in 1997.

Verlyn was very active in the community and was a leader and member of many organizations. He was a life member of the Coon Valley American Legion Post #116, Cashton VFW Post #8584, Snowflake Ski Club, Coon Valley Conservation Club, Chaseburg Rod & Gun Club and the Coulee Region Antique Tractor Club. He was the former clerk of the Village of Coon Valley, the charter secretary of the Coon Valley Lions Club, former president of the Coon Valley Business Association, former vice-president of the Norskedalen Steering Committee, former president of the Coon Valley Veteran's Memorial, former secretary of the Coon Valley Industrial Development Corp., former president of the Coon Valley Lutheran Church council, former supervisor of the town of Hamburg, former secretary of the Coon Valley Fire Dept., and vice-president of the Wisconsin Korean War Memorial in Plover, a member of the La Crosse Moose Club #1920 and the Viroqua Eagles Club #2707, the Korean War Veteran's Assoc and the 2nd Infantry Division Association.

Survivors include his wife Elizabeth; 3 sister-in-laws Irene Larson, Dorothy Dahlen and Mary Ann (Gordon) Dreves; a brother-in-law Sherman (Lois) Olson and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Harvey Larson, a sister Lou Jane Olson and a brother-in-law Tony Dahlen.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday June 7, 2013 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Mitzi Miyamoto will officiate. Burial with military honors will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley and at the church on Friday from 10 am until service time. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the charity of choice.