Wayne Edward Larson

Wayne E. Larson, 88, of Stratford, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at Southfield Wellness Community in Webster City, Iowa.

A family member graveside service for Wayne will be held at Hardin Township Cemetery, rural Stratford, Iowa. A come and go visitation will be held Sunday, February 21, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Carson-Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton, Iowa. A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held at a later date, when it is safer for us to gather.

Wayne Edward Larson, son of John and Mabel (Kinney) Larson was born on January 6, 1933 in Dayton, Iowa. He graduated from Dayton High School with the class of 1951. In 1959 Wayne received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Drake University and later earned his Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from U.N.I. He taught English in Webster City and for the next 35 years served as Superintendent of Schools for Northeast Hamilton School District in Blairsburg, Iowa; Ida Grove Community School District in Ida Grove, Iowa and Stratford Community School District in Stratford, Iowa. His definition of retirement included driving a school bus for 20 additional years.

Wayne was drafted and served in the United States Army from 1953 until an honorable discharge in 1955.

On June 6, 1960 Wayne was united in marriage to Carol Sackrison at the Stratford Lutheran Church. The couple eventually made their home on Carol’s family farm and spent the remainder of their 60-year marriage there. In the late 1980s, Wayne and Carol restored the original farm house built in 1903 and began to offer it as a guest house to visitors in the area during the months of May thru October.

Wayne was a member of the Stratford Lutheran Church. His hobbies included motorcycle riding, in which he toured all of the 48 contiguous states, shooting guns, fishing and golfing.

In addition to his parents, Wayne was also preceded in death by his loving wife Carol.

Survivors include his two sons, Jay Larson of Stratford, IA, and Brad Larson of Iowa Falls, IA; one granddaughter, Nevada Larson also of Iowa Falls, IA; two brothers, John “Jim” (Ilene) Larson of Dayton, IA, Jay (Jane) Larson of Herndon, VA; and several nieces and nephews.

Expressions of sympathy and memorials may be mailed to the Larson family at: 3219 370th Street, Stratford, IA. 50249.