LELAND M. LARSEN, Ph.D., 87

Leland M. Larsen, Ph.D., 87, of Kearney, died Saturday, March 8, 2003, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the First Lutheran Church in Kearney. The body will be cremated and inurnment of ashes will be in the church columbarium.

Leland Malvern “L.M.” Larsen was born Aug. 20, 1915, in Orum to Lars Martin and Agnes A. (Sorensen) Larsen. He was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Orum.

He graduated from Blair High School in 1933 and received his bachelor’s degree from Dana College in 1941.

On June 2, 1940, he married Ellen J. Houtwed in Ruskin. He taught at several Nebraska communities before moving to Kearney.

He received his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska in 1967. Beginning in 1949, he was a professor at Kearney State College and then served as chairman of the Math department where he was instrumental in fostering the computer science department. He also developed a new math technique and lectured on it around the country and in Canada.

After 33 years at Kearney State, he retired and was honored by the college at a retirement dinner. He was always active in faculty affairs, and remained so while in the Retired Teachers Association.

He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Kearney, Kearney Elks Lodge No. 984, N.R.A. North American Fishing Club, Pi Mu Epsilon, Kappa Mu Epsilon, Kearney Area Retired Teachers Association, Nebraska State Retired Teachers Association, state and local treasurer of the State Retired Teachers and the AARP.

He and his wife traveled frequently after retirement, which enabled him to indulge his lifetime hobby of fishing. A special experience was their 1996 trip to Denmark and Norway to visit ancestral homes.

The couple celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this past year.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen, of Kearney; sons and daughter-in-law, Marlin L. and Marge Larsen of Roseburg, Ore., and Don E. Larsen of Portland, Ore.; daughter and son-in-law, Marcia J. and Tim Mattson of Holdrege; brother and sister-in-law, Alton L. and Betty Larsen of Blair; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Memorials are suggested to First Lutheran Church or the University of Nebraska at Kearney Foundation.

Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary of Kearney is in charge of arrangements.