Clarence E Larson

Clarence E. Larson,91, of Rockford, passed away Friday, April 15, 2011 at Swedish American Hospital and went on to his Heavenly home. He was born on August 15, 1919 to David and Alma Olson Larson in Rockford. He attended Rockford schools and Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Clarence was a U.S. WWII veteran, having served with the 377th, Medium Tank Branch, 4th Armored Division in the European Theater. The tank he was in exploded and his leg was so seriously injured, for which he received a Purple Heart. After the war, Clarence met and married Ruthetta Wicklund. They were wed on June 8, 1951. She died in June of 2010. Clarence worked for Machine Tool Shops in Rockford and retired from Barber Coleman Co. Clarence love to fish and he along with his wife spent a number of vacation times up at Big Horseshoe Lake in Minnesota catching the “big” ones. He attended Shiloh Evangelical Free Church for many years. Clarence was a gentleman and a “gentle” man. Because of his infirmities, Clarence had a number of caretakers the past few years- a special thanks to all of them. Predeceased by parents, brothers Walter, Roland, Harold, Maurice and Donald and his wife Ruthetta. Survived by a number of sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, plus many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services at 10 am on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Rd, Machesney Park, IL. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation 1 hour prior to the service. Tributes to the family at www.sunsetfhmemgarens.com