Obituary of Maynard V. Larsen

Maynard V. "Whitey" Larsen, age 91 of Yankton passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at the Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 25, 2014 at Riverview Reformed Church, Yankton with Rev. Rodney Veldhuizen officiating. Burial will be in the Yankton Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard, Yankton and the SDARNG Honor Guard, Sioux Falls. Visitations will be from 5-8 PM, Friday, January 24, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton with the family present. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers are Darin Larsen, David Larsen, Dustin Larsen, Tim Larsen, Gerard Weinandt, Steve Larsen, Pat Lowe and Matt Lowe. Honorary pallbearers are Nick Cody, Francis Varilek, Chuck Becker, Verlin Larsen, David Kline, Brian Larsen and Kevin Larsen. Maynard "Whitey" Vernon Larsen was born February 19, 1922 to Nels and Sine Marie (Christensen) Larsen. At age 18, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) at Camp Orman Dam near Belle Fourche, SD. Maynard met his future wife, Vera Goeden at the Lombago Inn. They were married on November 14, 1942 at the Sacred Heart Church Parsonage. On August 12, 1943, Maynard left-for the army basic camp at Adair, Oregon. He then went to California and overseas to New Caledonia; he was a Private First Class in the infantry. Once out of the service, Maynard worked for Larson Brothers and completed his apprenticeship as a sheet metal worker in March 1950. Around 1950, Maynard and Vera began building their house at 1712 Broadway, and they lived in the basement for approximately 10 years before completing the main level. Maynard started his own business out of their home garage at 1712 Broadway, continuing to work in sheet metal, furnace and air conditioning. He worked alone for two years until he was approached by Vern Ellingson to start Broadway Sheet Metal. They continued their business for 35 years. Maynard and Vera were fortunate to spend their lives near family and to create a family of their own. Days before Maynard left for the army, their first child, Roger Wayne Charles, was born on July 31, 1943. Their second son, Thomas Douglas was born on November 12, 1947. After a brief 20 months with him in their lives, they lost Tommy in July 1949 when he drowned in the Missouri River across from their house at 100 Linn Street. Maynard and Vera then adopted a daughter, Rhonda Louise, who was a one year old who Vera babysat. Many years later, they adopted their granddaughter, Rhonda's daughter, Stacey. After many years of Maynard caring for his wife, Vera passed away at age 75 in September 1999. Maynard and Lydia Svatos were married on May 20, 2001 at the Plainview Legion Hall. Maynard's hobbies through the years have included fishing, boating, camping, gardening, watching sports and dancing. He is survived by his wife, Lydia of Yankton, SD; son, Roger (Betty) Larsen of Yankton, SD; daughter, Stacey Petersen of Yankton, SD; 8 grandchildren: Roger's sons: Darin, David, and Dustin Larsen; Rhonda's sons, Pat and Matt Lowe, and Stacey's children: Alexis, Haley and Colton Petersen; 8 great grandchildren; 5 step grandchildren; 1 great step grandchild and sister, Geraine (Bernard) Kline of Yankton, SD. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Vera, his parents, Nels and Sine Marie Larsen, son, Tommy, daughter, Rhonda (Larsen) Lowe, brothers: Milton, Virgel, Richard, Ralph, and Selmar, and sister, Lois Johnson. The family requests that memorials be directed to: The Center, 900 Whiting Drive, Yankton, SD 57078 and the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791, 209 Cedar Street, Yankton, SD 57078. In memory of Ralph Larsen, brother to Maynard Larsen and Geraine Kline, passed away December 29, 2013 in Ipswich, England. Ralph made frequent trips to Yankton, SD to visit family and friends. He enjoyed fishing on the Missouri River in the Jon Boat and gardening with Maynard. He will be greatly missed.