Richard D. Larson

Richard D. Larson, 87, of Geneseo, passed away at Hammond Henry Hospital on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, after battling a long illness. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, April 10 at 10:30 a.m. at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory in Geneseo. Reverend Bruce Bergthold will officiate. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery in Geneseo. Visitation will be held Sunday, April 9, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to First Congregational Church or the Geneseo Food Pantry.

Richard was born June 21, 1929, in Moline, IL, the son of John Ludvig Larson and Signe Johanna Svensson. Richard attended Moline schools, graduated from Moline High School in 1947, and from Moline College with an A.A. degree in 1950. He received a Bachelor’s degree in 1957 from Augustana College and received a Master’s degree from the University of Iowa. Richard married Karla J. Koelz in 1950. Later the two divorced. To that marriage, four children were born. He married Mary L. Purchase Springer on July 15, 1967 in Avon, IL.  Richard was a long time educator, first teaching at Sherrard School District 1950-1951 and Moline School District from 1952 to retiring in 1985. He served as a classroom teacher and later became a principal.  Richard joined the Illinois Retired Teachers Association after his retirement, and was a lifetime member of IEA, NEA, IESPA, and NESPA. Richard was a die-hard Cubs fan, enjoyed most sports, traveling, snowmobiling, and camping. Some of his most cherished times were snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park with Mary, and in Wisconsin, with his children and friend Doug.

He is survived by his wife, Mary L. Larson; his sons, Henry (Heide) Larson, and Stephen Larson (partner, Jack Zibert), and his daughter, Jennifer (Terry) Strayhall; grandchildren, Richard (Laura) Pierce, Sarah (Mark) Villanueva, Alodie Larson (Thom Fuell); great-granddaughter, Sophia Villanueva; son-in-law, Michael Pierce; three nieces, one nephew, and three cousins in Sweden.

Preceding Richard in death are his grandparents in Sweden, his parents, brother, Roy Larson, sister, Elsa Masengarb, and his daughter, Joan Pierce, along with his brother-in-law, Stowell Masengarb.

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