Paul S. Larson

He was born Feb. 9, 1948 to Bernice (Okstad) and Roy Larson. He was the oldest of eight children. He graduated in 1966 from Proctor High School and attended Duluth Vocational Institute.

He served his country with honor and dignity and was proud to be in the US Army-Tiger Bravo 2nd Battalion 506th Airborne Infantry 101st Airborne Division: Currahee. He was a Vietnam Veteran where he served from Dec. 4, 1967 to Dec. 1968. Paul was a purple heart and bronze star recipient for his bravery in combat and injury during his service in Vietnam.

Paul worked for the Duluth Missabe & Iron Range Railway (DM&IR) as a carman, retiring after 40 years. He was the treasurer for the Carmans Union for over 20 years.

Paul was member of the Northland Vietnam Veteran Assoc. for 20+ years serving as the secretary/treasurer. He was also a member of the American Legion, VFW, and Disabled Veterans of America. He loved, football, fishing, golf, baseball and most of all, hockey, where he taught himself how to skate so he could coach his boy’s hockey teams. Paul had many great talents. He loved his woodworking shop where many special things were crafted. He had a love of cars/trucks, and had worked on and restored a few in his time. His favorite car was his 1967 GTO. His favorite time of the year was when he could get the Harley Davidson out and take it for a ride; Dairy Queen was always his first stop. He was great at home repairs and remodeling where he always had a project in the works.

Paul is preceded in death by his father, Roy; mother, Bernice; brother, Danny & brother, Dale in 2014.

He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Patrice (Bijold) Larson; daughter, Kerri (David) Shea; sons, Kyle (Sarah), Wade (Susie) Backstrom, and Wayne Larson. In addition he is survived by all grandpa’s special “little ones”, Kylie, Kade, Shamus Shea, Lucye, Hank, Ike Backstrom, Ella, Cory, Jake Backstrom.

Visitation: 12:00 pm until the 1:00 pm Funeral Service, Sat. Dec. 12, 2015 in the Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home.