Monday, December 23, 2019 ~ 10:30 a.m.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church ~ Wahoo, Nebraska
Interment at Sunrise Cemetery ~ Wahoo, Nebraska
Military Honors by U.S. National Guard, American Legion #82 and VFW #4502
Sunday, December 22, 2019 ~ 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Svoboda Funeral Home ~ Wahoo, Nebraska
Bethlehem Lutheran Church ~ Wahoo, Nebraska
Harley “Bud” Duane Larsen, 93, of Wahoo, NE, entered into rest on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at Saunders Care Center in Wahoo, NE. Harley “Bud” Duane Larsen was born June 27, 1926 on his parents’ farm just east of Wahoo, NE. His parents were Walter and Nora (Larson) Larsen. He married Valesta Mae Rohwer of Colon, NE on September 18, 1955 in Wahoo, NE. She soon became known as “Mrs. Bud” and happily carries that name. Harley and Valesta have three daughters: Cheryl Lynn Larsen of Evanston, IL; Cynthia Mae (Bill) Butler of Calumet, MI; Cathryn Lucille (Terry) Lautner of Traverse City, MI. They have three grandchildren: Andrew (Kori) Lautner of Knoxville, TN; Julie Lautner of Traverse City, MI, currently in our country’s service in Kuwait; Erich (Sarah) Lautner of Traverse City, MI. They have one great grandson, Noah.
Harley has been a resident of Wahoo his entire life. He often said he grew up on two wheels, indicating his love for scooters and motorbikes. He attended Wahoo High School where he was involved in band. Music has always been important to him. He graduated from Wahoo High in 1944.
Five months after graduation, at the age of 18, he was drafted into the army in the midst of World War II. He served in the Philippines and then in Tokyo at the end of the war. He was on a ship in Tokyo Harbor when the treaty with Japan was signed and his unit was part of the Honor Guard which welcomed General MacArthur to Tokyo and at which time the American flag was once again raised over the U.S Embassy there.
Upon his return from the service, he soon started working at Wahoo Oil Company. In 1952, Harley and two business partners purchased the station. The tradition of Wahoo Oil Company serving as a full service gas station, complete with washing your windshield, checking your oil and carrying on a friendly conversation, continued until 2008 when health issues led to an early retirement for Harley at the youthful age of 82.
Harley and Valesta were members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wahoo where they worshiped and served the Lord. They enjoyed being involved in small Bible Study groups in Wahoo and always lived out their beliefs in their daily lives. Harley was involved with the Gideons for many years, knowing the importance of putting God’s Word into the hands of others.
Harley was a member of the Wahoo Volunteer Fire Department and for many years he taught Junior Fire Patrol, responded to emergency calls day or night, and was always present for the annual Bike Parade. Due to his eldest daughter’s love of horses, he was also involved with the local Saddle Club and for many years ran the Popcorn Stand at the Rodeo, with the entire family there to help during these fun times. This probably harkened back to his days as a young adult when he sold popcorn at the community baseball field, gleaning popcorn from a local field and ordering coconut oil so it would pop just right.
Harley dedicated many hours to making each Honey Sunday a success as he and Valesta were committed to supporting the activities and people involved with Region V.
Harley enjoyed gardening, singing in the Men’s Community Chorus and spending time with family and friends. He was a kind and humble man who always had a smile on his face. He loved helping people and was always quick to lend a hand whenever there was a need.
Preceded in death by his father Walter Emerson Larsen, his mother Nora May Larsen, brothers Robert Charles Larsen and Richard Melvin Larsen and sisters Helen Charlotte Luers and Arlene Lucille Rezac-Odvody.
Valesta, so sorry to hear about Bud.
I know he had been sick for a long time
My Dad, Joe Kiihne knew him. Dad used to take
his semi downtown to get fuel from Bud.
He will be greatly missed!
Our condolences go out to you and your family.
Rest in peace, Bud!
The Kihnes Joe, Kathy, Shaun, Scott and Amy
Here at SMC- LTC we had the privilege to care for Bud. Such a great man and loving family. He had such a contagious smile and always thankful for the visit. God bless Bud and his lovely family. Our sympathies to you all. Karen Miller
Dear Valesta, Bud was such a kind and caring gentle man. I often stopped at his station and some sort of topic would result in conversation that lasted 5 minutes after my car was filled up. He spoke kindly of Larry and other of my relatives. I would still stop in to see him at SMC. He will be missed. Prayers to all. Mary D
Larson family,
I am so sorry to hear of “Buds” passing. He was a very nice man. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Valesta and Cathy, I am so sorry to hear about your beloved Buddy’s / Dad’s passing. I have so many fabulous memories of him growing up when I used to visit your house, & also at band concerts, basketball games, etc. Thanks be to God for sharing such a good & faithful servant with us. My thoughts & prayers surround you at this time of grief, especially in the Christmas season.
Though we only recently were connected with our Wahoo family, we enjoyed visiting with Bud and Valesta along with the new found cousins. Thanks to Ancestry.Com we were blessed to discover the Larsons only a few counties away. It is with deep sorrow that I must off my condolences. I am glad that we found each other and I could visit with all of you. Blessings of peace and Comfort.
Dear Velesta, I am so sorry to hear of Bud’s passing. Mom and dad thought so much of you both. Many blessings in this difficult times.
Valesta, I am sending condolences on behalf of me and my mother. She and dad always enjoyed working with you and Bud at Region V.
She always got her gas at Bud’s because they filled her tank for her.
My sympathy to you Valesta, and your family. We did we did business at Wahoo oil all the years they were open. Bud was always pleasant, kind and helpful, a real gentleman.
My condolences to Buddy’s family. He was indeed a good, kind man. May he rest in peace and The Lord’s comfort sustain his family.