Lloyd Arthur Larson

FIDDLER LLOYD A. LARSON

Lloyd's service can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/757195589

Lloyd's tribute video can be viewed here. https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/8HL83MBPQDBKNCCN

Lloyd Larson, 90, of Fargo, ND passed away on Monday, September 26, 2022 at the Sanford Hospice House, Fargo, ND.

Lloyd Arthur Larson was born May 14, 1932 at rural Mekinock, ND, the third son of Selmer and Evelyn (Nelson) Larson. He attended country school there until his parents divorced. He then moved to Argyle, MN with his brothers and mother. Evelyn went to work as a housekeeper for widower Ernest Johnson who was raising his two young sons. They later married and had a son, Larry Johnson.

Lloyd was drafted into the Army in May 1953 and did sixteen weeks of basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He then was sent to Pusan Korea, arriving there just as the Korean War was ending. While there, he went to Japan and bought a fiddle and he and his fellow soldiers formed a band and played.

He was honorably discharged in April 1955 and returned to Argyle. There he met his lifetime sweetheart Betty Jean Rue. They were married at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Argyle on July 11, 1956. They lived there spring through fall and wintered in Long Beach, California, where Lloyd worked at General Motors. In September 1958, along with baby son, Loy, they moved to Fargo where Lloyd took up auto mechanics and bodywork at Hanson Mechanical Trade School. He worked as an autobody man for Anderson Pontiac in Moorhead and Overvold Motors in Fargo. He then sold Snap-On Tools out of his own truck until his fellow musician friend, Orland Nelson, introduced him to the district manager of Farmers Insurance and he was hired as an agent. He remained there until he retired and turned his agency over to son, Loy, who still maintains it today.

Lloyd also had a band called The Kountry Kings for many years, playing for dances in Fargo and the surrounding area. He also participated in fiddle contests winning many trophies. In 2012 he was inducted into the North Dakota Fiddlers Hall of Fame. He also played for many years during the Steam Threshers Reunion at Rollag, MN as a musician in the Nelson Building. In his later years, he played at nursing and retirement homes.

Lloyd is survived by wife, Betty; son, Loy (Pam); grandson, Colin; brothers, Glenn (Jessie) Larson, Lindley (Bette) Johnson, and Larry Johnson.

Lloyd and Betty have been members of Olivet Lutheran Church since the early 1960's, joining when son, Loy started Sunday School. God bless the memory of Lloyd Arthur Larson, a kind and gentle man and a great old-time fiddle player.

Funeral Service: 11:00am, Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at Olivet Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND with a visitation one hour prior.
Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Argyle, MN