Gerald Larsen

Gerald "Jerry" Larsen, age 72, of Mentor, MN, passed away on Thursday, January 31st, at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Erskine with the Rev. Michael Sletto officiating. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home. Military honors will be provided by the Air Force Honors Team. Arrangements are with the Carlin Funeral Home of Erskine and messages of condolence may be sent at www.carlinfuneral.com.Gerald "Jerry" was born September 25, 1946 to Ernest and Clara Larsen in Viborg, South Dakota. He had one sister, Phyllis and two brothers, Gilbert and Donald. After high school he went into the Air Force in 1966. He served in the military as a plumber in California and then Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1970.In 1976 he married Sharon LaFontaine. They lived in Erskine, Minnesota and had two daughters. Sarah Larsen Roed and Lisa Larsen Armey. Jerry tried several jobs until he found truck driving. He became self-employed hauling grain from North Dakota to Duluth, Minnesota until his health issues prevented him to continue. Once the loss of eyesight prevented him from driving, he worked both as an auto mechanic in Erskine and for Paquin's Potato Farm in Mentor up until he began dialysis.Jerry moved to Mentor and enjoyed spending time with his friends playing pool, cards and talking about the good old days. He was an active member of the American Legion Post in Erskine, MN and Lifetime member of the VFW Post in Crookston, Minnesota. Jerry has been fighting the fight with Diabetes, Dialysis 3 times a week, and several amputations on his feet. He is survived by his daughters, Sarah (Tony) Roed and Lisa (Eugene) Armey; grandchildren: Austin Roed, Sidney Roed, Rebecca Armey, Samantha Armey and Serenity Hoiland; and great grandson Kayden Hoiland; sister, Phyllis Jurczewsy; and sister-in-Law, Betty Larsen. Nieces and Nephews also survive.He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Clara Larsen; his father and mother-in-law, Donald and Adeline LaFontaine; brothers, Gilbert and Donald Larsen; and nephew, Kenny Larsen.