# 1 - - Published in The Enterprise, 10/17/2003

ALTON L. “BUD” LARSEN, 83

Funeral services for Alton L. “Bud” Larsen, 83, of Blair, were held Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, at the First United Methodist Church in Blair. Interment was at the Orum Cemetery. Mr. Larsen died Monday, Oct. 13, at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair following a month-long illness.

Alton L. Larsen was born Nov. 1, 1919, in Blair to Martin and Agnes (Sorensen) Larsen. He graduated from Blair High School and on Oct. 13, 1962, he married Betty Nichols in Omaha.

Mr. Larsen attended Dana College and the Chicago Art Institute. He studied art using oil on canvas and traditional style under his long-time mentor, Agustus W. Dunbier of Omaha. Selections of Mr. Larsen’s work have been in the Museum of Nebraska Art and art galleries in Taos and Santa Fe, N.M., and Arizona. Mr. Larsen illustrated the book, Portal of the Plains, and taught painting classes. He also developed special techniques to restore damaged or antique paintings or murals.

He served by farming the land for 50 years. The special loves of his life were his ever-supportive wife, Betty, and his art and travels throughout the west. He was known as the community historian and drew attention to his green truck enroute to paint another colorful landscape.

Mr. Larsen was a member and, for more than 10 years, was an usher at the First United Methodist Church in Blair. He was a charter member of the Associated Artists of Omaha, and also served for several terms on the Board of Directors of the Omaha Metro Arts Council.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; sister-in-law, Mrs. L.M. (Ellen) Larsen of Kearney; nephews, Marlin Larsen of Roseburg, Ore., Donald Larsen of Portland, Ore., niece, Marcia Mattson of Holdrege, and many special neighbors and friends of the Orum and Blair community.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

# 2 - - from the Omaha World-Herald, 10/16/2003

LARSEN - - Alton L., was born November 1, 1919, at Blair, Nebraska. Alton passed away at Memorial Community Hospital on Monday. He was the son of Martin and Agnes (Sorensen) Larsen. He graduated from Blair High School and on October 13, 1962 was united in marriage to Betty Nichols in Omaha, Nebraska. Bud attended Dana College and the Chicago Art Institute. He studied art using oil on canvas and traditional style, under his long-time mentor, Agustus W. Dunbier of Omaha. Selections of his work have been in the Museum of Nebraska Art and art galleries in Taos, Arizona and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Bud illustrated the book Portal of the Plains, and taught painting classes and developed special techniques to restore damaged or antique paintings and murals.

Bud served by farming the land for 50 years. The special loves of his life were his ever supportive wife Betty and his art and travels throughout the west. Bud was the community historian, and drew attention in his green truck en route to paint another colorful landscape.

Bud was a member, and for over 10 years was an usher at the First United Methodist Church of Blair. He was a charter member of the Associated Artists of Omaha. He also served several terms on the Board of Directors of the Omaha Metro Arts Council.

He is survived by his wife Betty, sister-in-law, Mrs. L.M. (Ellen) Larsen, Kearney, Nebraska, nephews, Marlin Larsen, Roseburg, Oregon, Donald Larsen, Portland, Oregon, niece Marcia Mattson, Holdrege, Nebraska and many special neighbors and friends of the Orum and Blair community.

MEMORIAL SERVICES will be held 10:30 am Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Blair.

~~~Obituary courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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