Leland Zebe Larson

PETERSON, MINN. - Leland Zebe "Swede" Larson, 64, of rural Peterson died on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at his home surrounded by family. Swede was born on March 6, 1943, in Mason City, Iowa to Fred Zebe and Dorothy Emma (Schlosser) Larson. He was raised and attended school in Waterloo, Iowa, graduating from West High in 1961. Following high school he studied Education at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa, graduating in 1967. During this time he married his high school sweetheart Martha Ellen Burton, also a Waterloo native. Following college, Swede taught at Calamus High School in Calamus, Iowa, and Fox Valley High School in Milton, Iowa. As a Physical Education and Driver's Education teacher, as well as basketball and baseball coach, Swede was well respected and admired by his students. In the 1970's he and his family moved back to Waterloo where he worked as a salesman and leasing manager at Crossroads Ford. For a short time he and his wife also worked together at the Quakerdale Group Home in Decorah. Soon thereafter they returned to Waterloo to sell their home and move to rural Peterson, Minnesota in 1980. During his years in Peterson he worked as a relief postmaster, was a Peterson School Board Chairman, and spent countless hours supporting his sons' school activities. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Rushford, Minn., and served as a church elder. Swede loved the outdoors and reveled in helping build and landscape the home hobby farm outside Peterson. He found great satisfaction in building and planting, especially the rock wall landscaping and variety of trees surrounding his home. Swede was a man of nature, deer hunter, genealogist, woodcarver, faithful Iowa Hawkeye's fan, and devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Martha; three sons: Garrick (Mary) Larson of Moorhead, Minn., Blair (Jodi) Larson of Rochester, Minn., and Adam (Allison) Larson of Wyocena, Wis.; three grandchildren: Mathias, Greta, Ayla, and two more grandchildren on the way; one sister: LuAnne Bearbower of Ferryville, Wis.; and one sister-in-law: Pat Larson of Imperial, Missouri. Swede was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Bryce, and brother, Loren. Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 16, at Hoff Funeral Homes - Rushford Chapel. The memorial service for Swede will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, at the First Presbyterian Church in Rushford, Minn. with the Rev. Susan Li presiding. Burial of his cremated body will be at the Elmwood Cemetery in Waterloo, Iowa at a later date.