Eugene Larsen, 90, of rural Culbertson, MT, passed away, Tuesday, July 4, 2017 at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson, MT. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston is assisting the family.
Eugene Larsen was born March 12, 1927 to Willie and Elvina Larsen on their farm in Dane Valley. He attended Dane Valley School for eight years then on to Culbertson High School. He enlisted in the Navy just before graduating but had sufficient credits to graduate and receive his diploma. Gene served his country as a photographer in the Navy from 3-9-45 to 8-2-46 on the USS Sims in the Philippines.
Upon returning home to Culbertson, he purchased his grandfather Soren Larsen's homestead, where he remained his entire life. He married his lifelong love, Lila Olson on October 1, 1950 in Cartwright, ND and they shared over 66 years together on the farm.
He worked for Gordon Peterson as a mechanic for a short time, but found his true passion in farming and raising cattle. Along with that, he managed to work for the ASCS inspecting grain bins for many years. He was a member of the Soil Conservation District Board for more than 50 years where he held many officer roles. He also served on the Roosevelt County Weed Board for many years, managing the weed crews. He was President of the Roosevelt Memorial Hospital Board and played a key role in getting the new hospital built.
Gene was a lifelong member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church and also served on the Church Council.
In his "spare" time, he was a huge fan of his children and grandchildren and rarely missed a game or school event. Many extended family fishing trips were made to Canada with bountiful results of walleye and northern pike making it home to the freezer.
His most treasured memory was a family cruise with all the kids and grandkids to Alaska to celebrate he and Lila's 50th Anniversary. His love and devotion to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was never ending. As he slowly worked towards retirement, he began his love of woodworking, creating many beautiful pieces for friends and family.
Gene and Lila spent more than 31 years as snowbirds, traveling every winter to Apache Junction, AZ. They made many new, now dear friends, from all over the U.S. and Canada, that shared their new love of shuffleboarding, playing sand golf and many games of cards and fast track.
Gene is survived by his wife Lila, sons Steve (Darcia) and Tim, daughter Darla (Dana), grandchildren Kevin (Amy), Michael (Raven), Shawn, Garth, Justin and Madison, great-grandchildren Bailey, Bruce and Huey, step-grandson Jason and his two boys, Trevor and Kyle, siblings Glen, Robert, Della and Gloria. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Elvina, and siblings Pearl, Rueben, Dorothy, Leroy and Arlie.

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