Obituary of JIm Larson

James (Jim) David Larson born on June 21, 1933 near Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan, passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at the Assiniboia Union Hospital with his family by his side, at the age of 76 years. Jim was born to Lars and Bessie (McCulloch) Larson, the fifth of ten children.  He grew up and attended school in Kamsack, Saskatchewan.  Jim quit school to help support his family.  He bought a horse and delivered milk in Kamsack.  He then got a job at the town office in Kamsack where he met Rita Sjolie of Sturgis, Saskatchewan.  They were married on February 13, 1969.  A year later their daughter Cheri was born and thirteen months after that, their son David was born.  In November of 1971, Jim and Rita moved with their young family to Assiniboia, Saskatchewan.  In Assiniboia, Jim became a member of the United Church and Kinsmen and served as secretary of the rodeo for a number of years.  Jim enjoyed watching the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the St. Louis Cardinals, although they let him down this year.  He loved John Wayne movies and CNN.  Jim especially loved spending time with his family and adored his grandchildren Brooke, Brody and Braxton.  Jim was predeceased by his parents Lars and Bessie, his sister Vi and her husband Eugene Gregorash, his brothers Les, Bill, Ron, Bob and Alvin.  Jim will be sadly missed by his wife of 40 years, Rita, his daughter Cheri (Brent) Blackwell, his son David and his three beautiful grandchildren Brooke, Brody and Braxton Blackwell, all of Assiniboia.  Jim also leaves to mourn his brother Roy (Irene) of Churchbridge, his sister Barb (Peter) Janett of Bredenbury, his sisters-in-law Carol, Toronto, Ontario, Muriel, Stewart, B.C., Diane, Kamsack,  Kathy, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mavis (Dick) Morken, Sturgis, Saskatchewan and many nieces and nephews.  A Service of Remembrance was held at St. Paul’s United Church in Assiniboia on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Neil Gilbert officiating.  A eulogy was given by Jim’s daughter Cheri Blackwell.  Urn bearer was David Larson, Jim’s son.  Honorary pallbearers were Jim’s grandchildren, Brooke, Brody and Braxton Blackwell. “One Day At a Time” was sung by Carol Blackwell.  There will be a private family interment at a later date.  Donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Assiniboia Union Hospital.  Funeral arrangements entrusted to Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Home  Assiniboia & Gravelbourg.