Leo R. Larson, 91 of Spearfish, SD died Thursday, September 3, 2015 at Avera St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre, SD.

Leo was born May 30, 1924 to George and Margaret (Walsh) Larson in Spearfish. He attended Crow Peak School thru 8th grade, Crow Peak School was a one room school house located on the ranch. He graduated from Spearfish High School, and then worked briefly for Homestake Saw Mill before joining the Army. Nervously he boarded a train in Deadwood, which he rode to Riverside, California catching a bus to Los Angeles and boarding a ship to the pacific. He returned in 1946, and moved to Pierre in 1947, where he began his career with State of South Dakota. He married Rose Ann Lunders on November 15, 1949 in Hoven, SD. Leo was an active Knights of Columbus member both St. Peter and Paul in Pierre, and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish. In Leo's early years, he enjoyed his children's sporting events, putting in many a mile. He also enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. Later he enjoyed sledding and playing ball with his grandchildren, bird watching, traveling to various antique and wire shows with Rose Ann and he loved to play cards and was an excellent crib player! Leo also enjoyed cleaning and then trading various barb wire and antique tools, his collection is on display at High Plains Western Heritage Center. Leo took pride in visiting and seeing the growth and changes of the ranch, where he was raised.


Those grateful for sharing his life include sons; Ronald (Sherry) Larson of Sioux Falls, SD, Gary (Judy) Larson and Vernon (Sandi) Larson of Pierre, SD, daughters; Mary Pickett, Leah Hamilton and Barbara (Richard) Smith all of San Diego, CA, his brothers, Alfred (Marilyn) Larson of Ogden, UT and Boyd (Nancy) Larson of Spearfish, SD, sister-in-law, Marie Lunders of Hoven, SD, grandchildren; Jody, Cameron, Tamara Larson of Sioux Falls, SD, Chad and Colin Larson, both of Williston, ND, Jennifer Madson of Lincoln, NE, Sonya Lopez of Sioux Falls, SD and Marcus and Nicholas Smith both of San Diego, great grandchildren; Justin, Nathan, Dylan, Breanna, Jacob, Mackenzy, Ryea and Isabella Rose all of Sioux Falls, SD, Tristin, Pierre, SD, Jordon, Phoenix, AZ, Delaney, Hadley, Cash of Lincoln, NE, Shayne of Sioux Falls, SD, great-great-grandchild, Kaiden of Sioux Falls, SD and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents George and Margaret, wife Rose Ann, one great granddaughter, Ashley, one son-in-law Richard, numerous brothers and sisters-in-law.

Visitation will be from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, Thursday, September 10, 2015 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.

Vigil and rosary services will be held at 7:00pm, Thursday, September 10, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish.

Mass of Christian burial will take place at 10:00am, Friday, September 11, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with burial with military honors to follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to benefit St. Joseph Catholic Church Building Fund.

Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com