John R. Larson
May 29, 1970 ~ February 28, 2013
John Robert Larson, age 42 of Marine on Saint Croix died on February 28, 2013 from injuries sustained in a car accident. A gathering of family and friends was held from 5-8 PM Wed., March 6th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr. SW, Forest Lake. A celebration of Johns life with full firefighter funeral honors was held at 11 AM Thurs. March 7th at Elim Lutheran Church, 20971 Olinda Trail No, Scandia with a gathering beginning at 10 AM until time of service. Interment was in the Rutherford Cemetery. Johns life began on May 29th, 1970. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota he was the eldest of the children raised in White Bear Lake by proud parents, Pat Neil Larson. John graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 1988. Shortly after college he began his career with the United States Postal Service. While working there John met his wife, Paula. They were married on a beautiful fall day in October 1997. They lived in the Scandia area where they have been raising 3 amazing children. In 2004, John added to his postal job by fulfilling a dream as well as a four generation tradition of becoming a firefighter with the Scandia Fire Department. He proceeded from a volunteer firefighter to the rank of Rescue and Fire Captain. He truly loved his 2nd family! John was known for his calmness in chaos and always had a kind heart. Anyone remember a firm handshake or one of Johns bear-hugs? Anyone in his presence certainly does! Every year John was excited, and looking forward to, the annual Larson family tradition of camping at Jay Cooke State Park. So many memories...... John is reunited in Heaven with brother-in-law, Charlie Burton, and grandparents Phyllis Martin Ludden, and Carl Marjorie Larson. John is deeply missed by his wife, Paula; children, Jeremy, Chantel, and Hannah; parents, Pat and Neil Larson; sister, Bridgett (Dan) Freimuth; brother, Eric (Carrie) Larson; mother and father-in-law, Sue and James Burton; sister-in-law, Pam (Dan) Mewhorter; nieces and nephews, Paul, Robert, James, Kelly, and Grace Freimuth, Wesley Larson, and Allyssa and Kali Mewhorter. A very special THANK YOU to Scandia Fire Department for all your help, love and support at such a difficult time. John loved each and every one of you and was honored to be part of your family. Also to his Uncle Martin for helping make his Celebration of Life even more special..... To all of you volunteering your time today to help honor my husband, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It has meant so much to our families. Paula
Paula and Family,
We will truly miss John. He was a wonderful neighbor. Our deepest sympathy to all of you.
to all the Larson family: I worked with John on the night shift at the Post Office. In a job that has become increasingly difficult over the years, John was always a guy I could count on to do his work, and have a good attitude about it. Not always an easy thing on nights. A good guy, and a good friend, who always had a smile on his face even when things weren’t going too well. I will miss him at work more than I can say. I’m sure I speak for everyone on our shift that knew him. My deepest condolences to his family.
Dear Pat & Neil, Bridget & Dan, Eric & Carrie, and Paula & family,
We were so sorry to hear about John Robert and have the fondest memories of him growing up. He will always be charished in our hearts. We will continue to hold you all up in prayer.
We love you,
Bruce & Diana
Paula,Jeremy, Chantel and Hannah, Our deepest sympathyand prayers to you and your family. John Was always there when you needed him and no matter what the situation was he always had a smile, John will be deeply missed and always remembered.
I can honestly say that John was one of the nicest guys I ever met. I never heard him say a bad thing about anyone. I wish I would have touched base with him over the past twenty years. My thoughts are with the Larson family and all who knew this great guy.
John was the best friend a boy could have!!!! We started together in grade school!!!!! Are history goes on since then!!! I live in Arizona since 1994 and john still called most Fridays to check in!! So many memories good and bad we share. This is a greet loss for all of us!!!! Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and love you no matter what!!! John would always end his call with a big I LOVE YOU!!! JOHN I LOVE YOU ALSO AND I MISS YOU VERY MUCH!!!!
Paula,
Many prayers, love and my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Sending you love and light.
Most Sincerely,
Diana (Valenty) Urness
Please allow me to extend my deepest sympathy during this difficult time to your family. I know the pain of losing a someone close. The scriptures have really helped me and I wanted to share some with your family. Like, in knowing that Jehovah God loves us, he is near to those that are broken at heart and those that are crushed in spirit he saves – Psalms 34:18; Psalms 83:18. One day soon, “no resident will say: I am sick” – Isaiah 33:24. John 5:28,29 gives hope of a future resurrection and Revelation 21:3,4 speaks of a time when death, mourning, or pain will be no more. Jesus at John 11:11 said to his disciples, “Lazarus our friend has gone to rest, but I am journeying there to awaken him from sleep.” We can have faith in these promises. I had also personally wondered why God has temporarily allowed the suffering and death that surrounds us. I found the answers in the bible. It can bring much comfort to know the answers. If you don’t have a copy of the bible you can find an online bible and other comforting information at http://www.jw.org. Keeping you in my prayers. Shellye — Chefshellye@juno.com
I babysat for John and Paula when I was a teenager. John was a great guy and you could see his love for Paula and his family. Paula, my deepest sympathy and prayers of comfort and peace are with you and your family.
I want to send my deepest sympathies & prayers to John Larson’s family. I did not know John, but have worked with his father Neil, and if John was anything like his dad, then he was a “good guy”! I know that John will be missed by his family — May your memories sustain you during this time.
I worked with John at the old New Brighton post office. John always said Hi, how you doing, ect. He always had time to listen to you complain about whatever it may be. He was very respectfull to ever one that he worked with. I am so sorry for your loss.
I don’t know where to start. I work with John at the Post office. He was one of the best friend I ever had. He always good things to say. He nicked named me Pops which still stands. I even saw him save a ladies life in the lobby at work. He would get made at me for saying he was my hero and he was. My prayers go out to Paula and the kids. See you in heaven John boy.
I had a brief conversation with John at Lake Okoboji last summer. We were sitting on the bench watching the sunrise. He commented on the peace and beauty of the morning. He said he was grateful for everyday. His rescue work made him so very aware of the value of life. He Said, “You just never know when it will be your last day.” I am so very sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies and prayers are with you all.
Paula and the Burton family, i am so sorry for your loss. May you be surrounded with the peace of Jesus
My deepest sympathies to John’s family, friends, and coworkers! John always had a smile and said hi in passing at the post office. He will be missed.
I also worked with John at the USPS and in the short time
I knew him I can say I have never met a better soul. John
never had a bad word to say about anyone, was always attentive/supportive and kind to all. He will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to his family, and my thoughts
and prayers will be with you at this difficult time.
A great guy who will be missed for a very long time, my heart aches for you Paula and family I am still in shock. Our prayers to you all he was a great guy who always extended his hand to greet you i will never forget him and his smile. Love you all… 🙁
John was a great brother in law. He would alway give you a hand shake or a BIG hug… and tell you how much she loved us…. He will be missed by many. Thank for all the good time. our family will not be the same with out you….sending lots of love to my sister and her kids. I love you all .
John was sincerely the nicest person I have ever met. He always had a smile and cared so much for everyone. John, you will be terribly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to Paula and the family.
Great HS memories of you! Working at USPS with you, you always made me laugh. To my surprise we lived so close in Scandia. I am saddened and my thoughts and prayers go out to your family, RIP Dexter-you will be missed by so many.
The think that stands out most in my mind is that at every family gathering, without fail, John would come up to me and say…Hi MaryAnn and give me a hug. EVERY TIME! Believe me, with a family this size it is almost impossible to acknowledge everyone.Made me feel pretty special.
John will be truely missed. He was the most geniune person I ever knew. I loved him and his family so much.
I worked with John at USPS for several years. I can honestly say that I have never met a nicer man than John. He always had an encouraging word when times weren’t so good and was always glad to see you. John would make you feel that he was with you through thick and thin. That is the definition of what a friend is. I miss him dearly and am praying for his family, his friends and coworkers as they struggle to get through this difficult time. I am truly a blessed man for having gotten to know John. Goodbye for now, John, until we meet again!
John- Your love for those of us privledged enough to call you family was unlimited! I will miss all of our attempts at rebelling against the world! We had a lot of good times together. I’m so glad we got to catch up this summer. Your family remains in our prayers!
Although I only new John for only a few years, everytime I was together with him and his family they were so warming and welcoming. He had a passion for caring for others. You will be missed but never forgotten. Your caring words, handprints and footprints will forever be in the community and our hearts.
John will be missed, anyone that knew John loved him. His kind heart and gentle smile will never be forgotten. You were great friend, wonderful father and a devoted husband, a life taken too soon. Forever an angel.. Love always.
John was such a loveable person. When he would thank you with a hug goodbye it was heartfelt and geniune. He admired his family and you could see in his eyes how much he loved them and his pride. I will miss him coming to Wisconsin to target practice with the guns, or collecting wood for the campfires. John will live on in everyone whose lives he touched.