died Thursday June 4, 2015, at his home.
Paul was born November 11, 1919 to Niels Christian and Esther (Nielsen) Larsen in Aalborg, Denmark. He came to the United States when he was 4 years of age, with his parents and 2 brothers, and the family settled in Chicago. Paul attended Moos Elementary School and Lane Technical High School in Chicago.
In 1941, he enrolled in Dana College in Blair, Nebraska and at the end of that year, he was drafted into the Army and sent to Fitzsimmons Hospital in Denver, Colorado and became a surgical technician in the medical corp. A few months later he joined the Army ASTP program and was sent to the University of Cincinnati to study the German language to become a German interpreter. At the end of the term the program was closed out and he was sent to Camp Crowder, Missouri to the Signal Corp. After 5 weeks he was dismissed from the corp and sent to the Army Air Force in Greensboro, NC, from which he was sent to Europe unattached, and soon joined the 50th Fighter Group, and remained with that group until the end of WW II
On August 19, 1945, Paul was joined in marriage to Beulah Jorgensen at the Bluffs Trinity Lutheran Church (northwest of Fremont). He returned to Dana College in Blair and earned his B.A. degree. Then he earned his Masters Degree and his Doctorate in Education from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He began his teaching career in the Wisner, Nebraska High School, then continuing his career at Fairbury Jr. College, then Clarinda, Iowa Junior College, and the next 21 years at Dickinson State University in Dickinson, ND, retiring to Fremont in 1983.
Paul was baptized in the Lutheran Church in Denmark and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith in Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Chicago. He was presently a member of First Lutheran Church in Fremont and was always very active in the Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Noon Optimist Club, VFW Post 10535 of Hooper, the Danish 'Mafia', and various charitable organizations.
Survivors: wife of 69 years Beulah
son Ronald Larsen of Denver
3 daughters Linda (Bruce) Magelky of Houston, Texas
Janis (Robert) Henry of Palmer, Alaska
Paula (Robert) Fanshier of Salem, Oregon
2 grandsons Michael (Deshee) Magelky of Houston
Chris Fanshier of Salem
granddaughters Nikki, Sara, & Jackie Henry of Alaska
Erin & Kim Fanshier of Salem
Elizabeth & Katherine Magelky of Houston
brother Dr. Erik (Lynda) Larsen of Florida
sister-in-law Marjorie Jorgensen of Fremont
nieces and nephews
Paul was preceded in death by his parents N.C. and Esther Larsen, brother Kaj Larsen, sisters-in-law Barbara and Ilse Larsen, brother-in-law Norman Jorgensen.
The funeral service will be 10:30 AM Tuesday (June 9th) at First Lutheran Church. The committal will be in the Bluffs Cemetery with the United States Flag Presentation. Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary will be on Monday from 3 to 8 PM, with the family present from 6 to 8 PM. Memorials are suggested to First Lutheran Church, Bluffs Cemetery Association, and Oaks, Oklahoma Indian (ELCA) Mission.
online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(4)
Duane and Colleen Hanson
Fort Collins, CO Thursday, June 11, 2015 So sorry to hear of Paul's passing.Our prayers are with all of you at this time.
Colleen and Duane Hanson
Dave Ferderer
Lakewood, CO Thursday, June 11, 2015 Beulah, Ron and family,I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Paul was a wise and wonderful man with a gentle soul. He made the world a better place and will be missed! I have such fond memories being at your place in Dickinson, visiting with Paul, playing basketball with our gang, and trying some of the "most outrageous" horse shots from your driveway that anyone can imagine. Great memories of a great family! My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dave
Georgia & Richard Felt
Fremont, NE Tuesday, June 9, 2015 Beulah, where do I start. I am so sorry to miss Paul's funeral. I am out of town and would have loved to have spoken at the funeral of our connection to Moos school, and our sharing of teachers. Paul had them when they were young, I when they were old. He will be missed so much, Beulah. Our prayers are with you and your family at this time.Jan Butler
Colorado Springs, CO Tuesday, June 9, 2015 Dear Larsen Family,My family and I will sorely miss Paul and his larger than life personality. Yet he was a humble human being.
Another chapter in history has been turned.
Comfort and prayers to you all.