Stanley G. Larson

Stanley Garfield Larson was born August 17, 1934 at Bassett NE, one of four siblings. He graduated from Rock County High School in 1952. Stan married the love of his life, Peggy Ann Wiley on Sept 20, 1953 at Bassett. Our parents, Stan and Peggy, were life partners for 63 years, rearing six children.
Dad spent his working days tending to the myriad of duties associated with the family ranch. He oversaw the cow/calf operation, milked dairy cows for 50+ years, directed cattle drives from atop his horse and put up hay each summer in preparation for winter. Haying season, in particular, was an “all hands on deck” family affair. Because dad was a prankster and practical joker, many of our most memorable family stories center around dad in the hay field.
Stan was an active member of the Bassett community. He served as Rock County commissioner for eight years. He served on the school board. He worked at the Bassett sale-barn auction for 35 years. Many of his life-long friendships began at the sale barn.
Of all Stan's community activities, and there were many, none was more personally satisfying to him than music. Dad retained a love of music throughout his life, something that was nurtured during his high school days. He sang a remarkable 600+ local funerals over the past 50 years. He played trumpet at parades and community events. In more recent times, he sang with the local Singing Seniors and performed monthly at the local skilled nursing facility.
Stan was a family man. He and our mom Peggy centered their lives on us, their six children - and in later years the grand and/great-grand children. You could count on dad/grandpa to attend all church functions, music contests and athletic events involving the kids - even if this meant he would have to delay milking until the wee hours of the morning.
Stan Larson passed away peacefully on January 11, 2023 at the Rock County Hospital Long Term Care Facility in Bassett age the age of 88 years, four months and 25 days.
Stan was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy; parents, Garfield and Lena Larson; sister, Mildred Larson; sister, Naomi Bussinger and brother-in law, Paul Kuxhausen. He is survived by his six children: Steven (Tonya) Larson of Bassett; Pam (Frank) Seberger of Newport, NE; Brian (Becky) Larson of Ault, CO; Laurie (John) Schlaman of Batavia, IL; Deb (Mike) Ruhrdanz of Lincoln, NE and Dawn (Dana) Johnston of Highlands Ranch, CO. Additional surviving family members include his sister, Dorothy Kuxhausen of Mitchell, NE; and brother-in-law, Marvin Bussinger of Scottsbluff, NE; along with 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Service was held on Monday, January 16, 2023 at the Bassett United Methodist Church with Pastor David Randall officiating. Music was provided by JoAnn Swanson with the congregation singing “In The Garden,” “Hymn Of Promise” and I’ll Fly Away.” The Dismissal CD Selection of “Daddy’s Hands” by Holly Dunn was played. Eulogy was given by Laurie Schlaman. Active Casket Bearers were: Leighton Wiley, Paul Knox, Glen May, Monte Strelow, LeRoy Carpenter, Merv Buoy, Jim Stout, Dan Sandall and Dan Atkinson. Honorary Casket Bearers were: Past and Present Owners and Employees of Bassett Livestock Auction and Past and Present Rock County Commissioners and County Government Officials. Memorials were suggested to the Rock County Senior Center in Stan’s name. Interment was in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of the Hoch Funeral Home of Bassett. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com .