Otto J. "JR" Larson

December 21, 1931 - August 20, 2020

Otto J. “JR” Larson, 88, of Forest City, died Thursday, August 20, 2020 at MercyOne North Iowa - Hospice in Mason City. A memorial service will be held 12:30 pm, Saturday, August 29, 2020 at the Forest City United Methodist Church, 305 S. Clark St., Forest City, with Rev. Les Green officiating. Burial will follow in Madison Cemetery, Forest City. Otto and his twin sister, Darlene, were born December 21, 1931 in Forest City, to parents Otto and Aletha (Benson) Larson. They grew up on the family farm, northeast of Crystal Lake, and attended Crystal Lake schools. In 1949 Otto was united in marriage to Marlyce J. Gettis at the Crystal Lake Lutheran Church, following their nuptials they enjoyed a “double honeymoon” to the Black Hills, South Dakota with friends, Tom and Delores Riherd. Throughout his adulthood Otto farmed and in later years owned and operated Larson Construction for 25 years before his retirement. He then moved to Phoenix, AZ for eight years before returning to Iowa where he again took up farming operations. JR loved people and made new friends nearly everywhere he went. While living in Phoenix JR drove for Greyhound and loved visiting with folks traveling along his routes. He had a lifelong love of aviation and owned 5 different airplanes throughout the years. JR also loved riding motorcycles and enjoyed many trips to the Black Hills. In 2015 he met Carol Huebner while attending a dance at the VFW. Together they have shared five years of companionship and have countless laughs and memories along the way. Those grateful in sharing in his life are his children, Susan J. (Jim) Sanvig, North Branch, MN, Deborah L. (Randy) Stensrud, Joice, IA, and Brian K. (Miya) Larson, Columbus, MN; grandchildren, Larry (Karii) Steffensen, Jerry (Shana) Steffensen, Chad Steffensen, Jason Sanvig, Stephanie (Jay) Koehnke, Kim (Kory) Oftedahl, Heather (Jim) O’Keefe, Jesse (Rachel) Stenrsud, Allery, Wyatt, Jayce, and Sayler Larson; 23 great grandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren; twin sister, Darlene (Richard) Thompson, Crystal Lake; companion, Carol Huebner and her family; as well as his nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. JR is preceded in death by his parents; his ex wife, Marlyce Larson; and siblings, LuVerne Larson, Richard Larson, Robert Larson, and Virginia Neeley.