Raymond Claus Larson

Raymond Claus Larson, 96, longtime Sunnyside resident went to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, February 24, 2017, at home surrounded by his loving family. Ray was born on August 15, 1920 in Tilden, Nebraska, the son of Claus Emil and Anna Pauline (Olson) Larson. He graduated from Meadow Grove High School in Meadow Grove with the Class of 1939. On Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941, he was traveling by train from Nebraska to Washington to find work as his eyesight kept him from joining the service.  He worked in the Burlington and Sedro Wooley area for several years prior to coming to Sunnyside.  Ray helped establish the Roza Dehydrator and then in 1949 he bought 80 acres of Roza land and began to farm.  He owned and flew an Aeronca airplane, which he later sold to buy a tractor. On November 26, 1954, he married the love of his life, Margaret Flanagan, at her parents’ home.  Ray loved to farm and that’s what he did all of his life.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Margaret Larson of Sunnyside, WA, a daughter Tamara Johnson of Goldendale, WA and a son, Mark Larson of Sunnyside, WA. He is also survived by three grandchildren Riley, Mason, and Payton.  Ray is preceded in death by his parents, four brothers Rudy, Allan, John and Donald Larson and two sisters Winnifred Larson and Esther Wieting.

At Ray’s request there will be no formal funeral service. Private interment will be held at the Lower Valley Memorial Gardens in Sunnyside, WA. Memorials can be made to Hospice. Those wishing to sign Ray’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com  Smith Funeral Home in care of arrangements. 

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