Obituary: Roland J. Larsen, 84

Roland Larsen was born in Sioux Falls, S.D, on July 20, 1930, and raised on a farm. He completed high school in 1948, after which time he moved to Desmet, S.D., to work on a farm belonging to family friends.

In 1950 he joined the Navy and spent some time serving in the South Pacific. Once out of the service he moved to Washington where he worked as a sheriff in Snohomish County.

He moved to Alaska around 1976 to pursue beach logging with his friend Lloyd Harding. Roland worked for K&L Liquor Distributors and Ketchikan Air, and he was the official weather observer long before it became a paid position.  He was active in the local Elks Lodge for many years.

On July 3, 1991, he married his longtime sweetheart Donna Harvey. He was a big man, in stature and in spirit, known for his generosity and kindness.

Roland was preceded in death by his parents and two of his three children, Chris and Dori Ann. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Donna Larsen; her two children, Earnest Harvey and Kathleen Harding; his son, Carl Larson; his younger sister, Janyce Cooper; and his younger brother Eugene Larsen.  

Cards and letters can be sent to Donna Larsen Box 723 Wrangell, AK 99929. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wrangell Long Term Care. A celebration of life will be held at the Alaskan Sourdough Lodge on Sunday, May 31 at 2 p.m. Feel free to bring an appetizer or dessert to share.