Dean A. Larson

Dean "Jiggs" Allen Larson, 88, of Red Wing formerly of Lake Crystal, Minn., died Friday, November 14, 2008, at the Fairview Seminary Home in Red Wing. He was born on August 15, 1920, in Lake Crystal, Minnesota to George and Mary (Jones) Larson. He graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1938. During high school and after graduation he worked for the Pete Silver Grocery Store before serving his country in the US Army during World War II from 1942-1946. He married his first wife, Fedelis Rudloff in 1945 at Fort Hood, Texas. She died in 1965. After the war he managed the Lake Crystal Creamery until that closed and then went to work for the Crystal Co-op until his retirement in 1982. He married VaLaine Jones on September 10, 1966. They made their home in Lake Crystal until he retired, they then moved to Red Wing. They returned to Lake Crystal for a few years, returning to Red Wing in 2001. After retiring, Val and Jiggs enjoyed the time they could spend together. For the past six months he has been a resident of the Fairview Seminary Home and Val visited him every day while he was there and helped him with his meals. He was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church and the American Legion Post in Lake Crystal. He was an avid sports fan, playing many sports himself. He loved flowers and working in his yard.

Survivors include his wife, VaLaine; two children, Greg (Maria) Larson and Nancy Frederickson both of Mankato; two step-children, Gary (Carole) Jones of Red Wing and Sandra Jones of Atlanta, Georgia; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren; three step grandchildren and five step-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Fedelis; one sister, Evelyn Busby and two brothers, Leroy and John.

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 18, 2008, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Butternut, Minn., with Rev. Gene Alms officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to the church, Fairview Red Wing Hospice or donor's choice. Funeral arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, Red Wing.