Leon B Larson

Graveside Memorial Services for Leon B. Larson will be conducted on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Immanuel Cemetery north of Bertrand, Nebraska with Pastor Matt Hacker officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Bertrand Veterans Organization in conjunction with the United States Army Military Honor Guard.

Leon Bard Larson, 79 years of age, of Bertrand, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at the Bertrand Nursing Home. He was born December 3, 1934 in Holdrege, Nebraska, the youngest of four children born to Alfred E. and Marie W. (Bard) Larson. He received his education from the Bertrand Community School through the 10 ^th grade, and then later received his GED while he was in the Army.

He was first employed as a heavy equipment operator until he was inducted into the United States Army on August 11, 1955. Leon trained at the Army Medical Service School as a dental assistant and served until his honorable discharge on July 23, 1958 and then served in a Reserve capacity until August 10, 1961.

After his military service, Leon again worked as a heavy equipment operator for ten years in Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska. He then moved back to Bertrand, where he was employed at his mother's nursing home as a nurse's aide, cook and van driver. Due to his failing health, Leon began to make his home at the Bertrand Nursing Home since December of 2011.

He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and the American Legion in Bertrand.

He enjoyed reading, fishing and hunting, woodworking, and loved to paint.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers: Keith Larson in infancy, and Forrest Larson and his wife, Fran; and his sister, Mae Marie Mossop and her husband, John.

Survivors include a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Leon's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Leon's honor and kindly suggested to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or the Young at Heart Senior Center – Building Fund in Bertrand.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.