Russell I. Larson

MANISTEE, Mich. — Russell I. Larson, 79, of 600 Birch St., Manistee, Mich., passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 14, 2008, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.

He was born April 29, 1929, in Norway, the son of Carl and Jane (Gustafson) Larson. He was a graduate of Norway High School, Class of 1947. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1953 with a degree in pulp and paper technology.

He married Marilyn A. Nelson in Gladstone on Feb. 12, 1955. She preceded him in death on Nov. 14, 2003.

Russ was retired. He had been a process engineer at American Box Board and later the Packaging Corporation of America’s Filer Mill. He retired in 1985 after 32 years with PCA.

Russ was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Manistee where he had served as church treasurer for many years. He had been a member and church treasurer of the former Messiah Lutheran Church in Manistee. He was a charter member of the church’s dartball team serving as captain for 44 years. He was also a member and past president of the Lutheran Brotherhood, Branch 8319.

Russ was active in the Manistee community as well. He was a former member and past president of the Manistee Jaycees; a member and past president of the Manistee Kiwanis and a member of the Manistee County Chamber of Commerce Promoters.

He enjoyed golf and bowling. He was a member of the Manistee Golf and Country Club. He was a member of the Manistee Bowling Association Hall of Fame; a past secretary of the Birds and Bees Bowling League; and had bowled on many leagues throughout the years.

Russ is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Barbara Larson of Port Orange, Fla.; daughters, Karen Larson of Manistee and Patricia Larson of Raymondville, Texas; grandchildren, Andrew (Desirea) Larson of Baton Rouge, La., and Jana Larson of Port Orange, Fla.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Harvey and Margaret Larson of Burlington, N.C., and Roger “Duke” and Rica Larson of Norway; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 20, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with the Rev. David Bitler officiating. The family will receive friends at the church Friday morning from 10 to 11 a.m. There will be no visitation at the funeral home.

The family suggests that those wishing to remember Russ consider a gift in his memory for either the Manistee Kiwanis Club or the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

The family is being served by the Johnson Funeral Home, 480 Water Street, Manistee, MI 49660.