Ralph Larson

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Arnold, NE – Ralph Larson age 88 of Arnold, formerly of Omaha passed away on Sunday March 7, 2021 at his home near Arnold with his family by his side. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 10:30 AM at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Arnold with Father Thomas Gudipalli officiating.  Inurnment will be at the Fort McPherson National Cemetery at 3:00 pm at Maxwell, NE.  A time to greet the family will be held on Thursday, March 11, 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at St. Agnes Catholic Church with a rosary service to follow at 7:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Govier Brothers Mortuary of Arnold is serving the family.  An online register book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com.  The services will be livestream at www.govierbrothers.com.   

Ralph was born on June 2, 1932 to Ollie and Sophie Larson in a farmhouse near Curlew, Iowa.

At age 17 he entered the Navy and served four years during the Korean War sailing around the world on the USS Toledo.

Ralph married Betty Gaul on November 26, 1955 in Omaha where the two of them would spend the next 34 years raising their four children and enjoying their multiplying grandchildren. Ralph worked in construction for over 30 years retiring from Peter Kiewit in 1989. There are several landmark buildings in the Omaha area in which he was proud to say that he had a hand in constructing, including the animal compounds at the Henry Doorley Zoo. Ralph worked closely with the zoo director and considered him a good friend.  Ralph and Betty moved to the Lost Cabin Ranch on the South Loup River between Arnold and Callaway in July of 1989. In the early years of “retirement” Ralph stayed busy with his cattle, gardening, doing local carpentry work, and working part time for local farmers and ranchers. When asked about why did you retire to the Sandhills of Nebraska? Ralph replied, “deer hunting!” In addition to deer hunting Ralph hunted many Sandhill species, fished open water, ice fished, and trapped for over 30 years all while in retirement. When Ralph stepped out of his house down by the river, he was known to raise both hands and say, “…this place is my heaven.” We can only imagine the heaven he is in now!

Ralph is survived by his wife Betty Larson of 65 years, his children Deb (Dr. Dave) Breuer of Auburn, NE, Diana Carlin of San Antonio, TX, David Larson of Longmont, CO, Daniel (Rhonda) Larson of Lincoln, NE; 16 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; as well as numerous other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers LaVern, Cecil, and Kenneth, sisters Catherine, Mary, Ruth, and Irene, several nieces, and nephews.