Arnold W. Larson

Arnold was born at Saint Luke’s Hospital on March 10th, 1918 to Swedish Immigrants Andrew Gustav Larson and Anna Ingaborg Larson. It was the happiest day of his mother’s life, he would routinely say.

The young family first lived in a small house northwest of Fargo until Andrew purchased the family farm in 1923. Arnold spent the remainder of his childhood on the farm, attending Fargo public schools until graduating from Central High School. He then attended NDSU until the start of the Second World War. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he volunteered for the Army. He attended training before shipping out to England in 1942. Once there, he served in the Army Air Corps as a B-17 Squadron Armament Officer. He suffered injuries during an air raid and was shipped back to the United States for care and recovery. He spent over 2 years in medical care until he was medically retired in 1945.

Arnold was a strong-willed man. Due to his injuries he was told that he would never walk or farm again, and would be confined to a wheelchair. Later he was told he wouldn’t be able to walk without a brace, and then without a cane. Arnold paid no attention to these comments. He returned to Fargo, intent on overcoming his disabilities and becoming a success. He ended up walking without any of these aids and participated in several business ventures. One proud achievement was wiring 29 area farms for electricity. Shortly after the retirement of his father, Arnold took over control of the family farm. With the help of his family he farmed late into life, spending nearly 45 years out on the fields, not retiring completely until the late 1990s.

He married Charmeon Cecilia Adams on April 29th, 1950. They were married for over 60 years before Charmeon’s passing in 2010. Together they had 4 wonderful children, Jim, Rebecca, John, and Joe. All of whom still reside within or near Fargo, ND.

He was active as long as possible, never willing to slow down. After his farming days, Arnold kept busy developing his land into what is now the Riverwood Subdivisions. He spent a lot of time with the church and other local organizations. In later years he and Charmeon enjoyed two trips to Alaska with their children Joe and Becky.

Arnold was an active member of the Fargo community. He was also very proud of his service to his country and an energetic supporter of the military. He was a member of the Air Force Officer’s Association, the American Legion, the Elks, and held a leading position within the 40 & 8. He was generous and supportive of his family when needed.

He was a man of God and a committed member of Hope Lutheran Church. He will be deeply missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife Charmeon Cecilia Larson and his sister Alice Johnsen. He is survived by four children, Jim (Pattie) Larson, Rebecca Oberlander, John (Connie) Larson, and Joe Larson; 6 grandchildren, Andrew (Jessica) Larson, Aaron (Jessica) Oberlander, Melanie (Jason) Brown, Chad Larson, Laura Larson, Seth Oberlander; and 6 great-grandchildren, Derek, Dylan, and Isaiah Brown, Lillian Oberlander, Anna and Elizabeth Larson.