Lionel "Ole" Vincent Larson

Lionel Vincent “Ole” Larson was born July 19, 1940 to Elmer and Julia (Anderson) Larson in Wheaton, Minnesota. He was the youngest of six children. His siblings gave him the nickname of Ole when he was a toddler, and he went by that the rest of his life.

Ole grew up in Wheaton and participated in sports at Wheaton High School where he was a 1958 graduate. He attended the Minnesota School of Business at the University of Minnesota. He returned home to join the family implement business.

Ole managed the GM car dealership side of the business until 1978 when the partnership was split, and he took over sole ownership of the car dealership and formed Ole Larson Motors. He built the new building on the southeast part of Wheaton, but sold the business in 1979 due to health reasons.

He owned and operated Shady Dell Resort on Lake Traverse until a fire destroyed the main building.

Ole was united in marriage to Sharon Kay Schumacher on September 27, 1969 in a private ceremony in Wheaton. They welcomed a son, Eric, in 1976 and enjoyed living at the lake.

Shortly after Sharon’s passing in 1982, Ole built a new house in Wheaton that he and Eric moved into. In 1989 Ole and Eric moved to Jackson, Wyoming where they had a lawn care business and Eric graduated from high school.

Ole spent many summers on the Salmon River by Shoup, Idaho and winters in Wendover, Utah. Two years ago he moved back to Wheaton to be closer to friends and family.

He loved the outdoors and spent many hours fishing and hunting. In earlier years he competed in trap shooting. He also enjoyed following high school and college sports. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, the Masons and he was a Shriner.

Ole is survived by his son Eric (Lindsay) Larson of Summerfield, NC; and three grandchildren: Austin, Rylee and Beckham; sister Muriel A’Bell of San Diego, CA; sisters-in-law Joni (Karl) Bednarchik of Walcott, ND; Nancy (Bill) Schumacher Winick of Dayton, MN; brother-in-law John Schumacher of CT; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Ole was preceded in death by his parents: Elmer and Julia; siblings: Ethelyn (Rodney) Johnson, Milton (Opal) Larson, Esther (Manley) Odland, Leonard (Marian) Larson; brother-in-law Eldon “Pete” A’Bell; sister-in-law Kathleen Schumacher; and parents-in-law Carlton “Cally” and Helen Schumacher.

Ole passed away Monday, February 5, 2024 at Sanford Hospice House in Fargo, ND following a short illness.

Anyone that met Ole remembers him and probably has a story to tell about him. Blessed be his memory.

There will be a Graveside Service on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Wildwood Cemetery in Wheaton with Rev. Cheryl Berg officiating. Pallbearers will be All of Ole’s nieces and nephews. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jerry Schultz, Roger Schmidt and Stan Sirek.  

Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service and Time of Sharing at the Bainbridge Funeral Home in Wheaton.