Larson, John Paul

John Paul Larson

John Paul Larson passed away peacefully on December 9, 2023 at Upland Hills Nursing and Rehab Center in Dodgeville. He was born on September 28, 1932 to Bennie and Eunice (Lageson) Larson and spent his youth near Blanchardville farming, fox hunting and playing baseball. He married Shirley Severson on October 17, 1959. John and Shirley raised two sons and farmed together in the Blanchardville area until their retirement in 2006. After selling the farm they moved to Barneveld to be close to their grandchildren Michael and Morgan, who were the brightest lights in their lives.

John quit school at 16 to begin farming and had a reputation as a good neighbor and an excellent dairy farmer with a very strong work ethic. He approached the challenges of farming and life with a strong will and resolve to “outwork the problem”. Good stewardship and conservation of the land and the health of his animals was more important than production. He was an amateur naturalist who enjoyed the fauna and flora of his farm, loved making seasonal observations and watching the weather, had an interest in geology (picking up rocks!) and Native American history, finding arrowheads in his fields. He enjoyed woodworking and making things with his hands, especially if he was working with kids. There was always a place in his heart for a good dog.

John was preceded in death by Shirley on March 23, 2019 and without her life was never the same as he missed her dearly. He is survived by his sons Randy (Karla) of Blanchardville and Scott (Brenda) of Barneveld, grandchildren Michael of Stevens Point and Morgan of La Crosse and his siblings, Gordy of New Glarus, Barb Lien of Blanchardville, Mitzi (Jack) Mason of Mt. Horeb and Sharon (Larry) Blair of Albert Lea, Minnesota as well as sister-in-law Judy (Don) Dobson of Mineral Point. Private services will be held.

The family wishes to express our gratitude to the staff at Upland Hills NRC and the Upland Hills Health Hospice care team for the compassion, care and kindness you showed Dad. We think of all of you as family.

As Dad would say when it was time to get back to work, “Well, I guess this won’t get it done”. Memorials may be made in John’s name to New Hope Lutheran Church in Blanchardville.

If a man can’t be happy on a little farm in Wisconsin,

he hasn’t the makings of 

happiness in his soul.

Nick Engelbert