Glenn Larsen, 84

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Ralph "Glenn" Larsen, 84, of Glenns Ferry, died Feb. 9, 2006, from cancer.

Memorial services will be held at the Glenns Ferry Veteran's Memorial Hall at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 8, with a dinner following.

Glenn was born in Buhl, Idaho, March 30, 1920, to Ralph and Carroll Larsen. The family later moved to Glenns Ferry. His parents divorced in 1938, and Glenn attended school in various Idaho communities, including Buhl, Twin Falls, Cascade, Caldwell, Atlanta, and back to Twin Falls.

He returned to Glenns Ferry in 1935, graduating from Glenns Ferry High School in 1939, having married Irene Lawrence four hours earlier. They settled in Boise, where Glenn worked for Montgomery Wards.

In May 1941, he went to work as a student telegrapher for the Union Pacific Railroad at Glenns Ferry, studying with Bessy Blazer. His first shift was at Reverse, Idaho, on Sept. 1 of that year. Glenn worked in Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, and Montana, retiring as Idaho Division Freight Agent in Pocatello in May 1980.

Glenn joined the Masonic Lodge at Glenns Ferry in 1964, serving as Worshipful Master seven times. He also joined Victory Chapter of Eastern Star in 1965, serving as Worthy Patron many times. He was elected to the office of Grand Sentinel in 1985 and served as Grand Patron in 1987-88 with Sister Geraldine Berky from Clark Fork. He has served as Associate Guardian of Job's Daughters in both Butte, Mont., and Glenns Ferry.

"Glenn enjoyed both his thirty-nine years with the Union Pacific and the people he came to know as he worked in the many organizations he was connected with," his family noted.

Glenn is survived by: three daughters, Sharon, Glenda and Gail; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Maxine Larsen, and step-sister Sue Anne Clements, plus many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Donna Pilkington, who died in 1985 from cancer, and his brother, George.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to: Victory Chapter #60 OES; Fidelity Lodge #80 AF & AM, or Three Island Senior Center of Glenns Ferry.