Kenneth A. Larson

Kenneth Alfred Larson slipped the surly bonds of earth and ascended to a higher place on July 30, 2024, at the age of 99 years.

He was born November 4, 1924, in Sparta, Wisconsin to Alfred Olger Larson and Florence Marie Larson (nee Jensen) of Pleasant Valley near Leon, Wisconsin.

Ken attended public schools in Wisconsin.  In his senior year at Sparta High School, he joined the Civil Air Patrol in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  He learned to fly small, single engine aircraft.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corp Aviation cadet program in June 1942.  He was called to active duty in September 1943.  Ken received his basic training at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.  There he attended Washington University in St. Louis in preparation for pilot training.  His pilot training was interrupted when he volunteered to train and fly a duty tour as an aerial gunner. 

He attended ariel gunner training at Las Vegas, Nevada, where he finished as one of the top gunners in his class.

Upon completion of their training at Ardmore, Oklahoma, Ken and his crew flew a new B-17 Bomber from Kearney, Nebraska to England.  He was assigned to the 327th Bomb Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group, Eighth Air Force, also known as “Fames Favored Few” in Podington, England. 

Ken flew six combat missions as a tail gunner, before he was seriously wounded in action on August 24, 1944, when the plane was hit by heavy flak and German fighter aircraft over Meresberg, Germany.    The German fighter aircraft that day were ME 163, the first rocket powered aircraft used in the war against the 8th Air Force.

After four months in the hospital and rehab, he returned to flight status.  His original crew had been shot down during his convalescence, so Ken flew an additional twenty-four combat missions with various flight crews.  Ken was discharged from active service in October 1945 but remained in the Air Corp Reserve until 1948.

For his active duty, Ken was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (presented by General Jimmy Dolittle), the Purple Heart, five Air Medals, the European Theatre Medal with four Bronze Battle Stars, the WW2 Victory Medal, a Good Conduct medal, and the French Legion of Honor.  In addition, his Bomb Group also received the Presidential Unit citation in January 1945.

After his discharge in 1945, Ken found employment with a small telephone company in Waconia, Minnesota.  There he met and married Evelyn Schultz on June 25, 1948.  Their marriage was blessed with two children, Scott and Suzanne.

Ken worked for United Telephone Company, Midwest Group in engineering and management in Minnesota, Kansas and Iowa.  In 1985, he retired as Division Vice President after 39 years of service.

Ken and his wife, Evelyn, moved from Chaska, Minnesota to Naples, Florida to enjoy their retirement in 1996.  In June 2010, they moved to Richland Place in Nashville, Tennessee to be closer to family.

He was active in the community, serving as Secretary/Treasurer of the Waconia Lions Club, as a Director and President of the Waconia Ridgeview Hospital and a founding member of the Island View Country Club.  He was on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Telephone Association and was Past President and on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Telephone Association.  He was also active in the Moravian Church serving on both the Board of Trustees and the Board of Elders.  He taught Sunday school and sang in the choir.  He was the Chairman of the Christian Education building committee.

Ken’s military associations included the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the 92nd Bomb Group (H) Memorial Association, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Ken is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years (Evelyn Schultz Larson), his son (Scott Kenneth Larson), his daughter-in-law (Linda McGrath), his parents (Alfred and Florence Larson), brother (Armond Larson), and sisters (Mrs. Harley (Alice) Tripp and Mrs. Joe (Jean) Wesa).

He is survived by his daughter, Suzanne Larson-Tamburo and his son-in-law, Andy Tamburo of Brentwood, Tennessee, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service with military honors will be Monday, September 16, 2024, at 2 pm at the Leon Cemetery, 19516 State Highway 27, Sparta, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to a veteran’s organization of your choice. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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