Walter Larsen passed away at his home on South Street on June 22nd at the age of 78. He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on December 1st, 1885 and came to the United States at the age of 19 after completing his four years as an apprentice mechanic. He lived in Illinois for a number of years.

Mr. Larsen and Elly M. Charles were married in Omaha on June 19, 1907, and they came to Blair to make their home.

For eight years he was a mechanic for Gus Rathman in the Ford Garage. Henry Ford enjoyed coming to Blair and took fishing trips on the river with Mr. Larsen and Mr. Rathman.

Mr. Larsen and Martin Jacobsen built and operated the Chevrolet Garage and later Mr. Larsen operated his own garage at 14th and Washington Street. He retired in 1946.

Mr. and Mrs. Larsen were the parents of two children, Harold of Northridge, California and Mrs. Alfred Andersen (Elly Marie) of Hidden Hills, California. Survivors besides his wife Elly and his two children are five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Also two sisters, Mrs. Andrea Anderson of Montebello, California and Miss Agnes Larsen of Los Angeles.

In earlier years Mr. Larsen was very active in the Jordan Commandery of the Masonic Lodge. Masonic services were held at the Campbell Mortuary and at the graveside.

The Rev. Dale Westadt officiated at the funeral service at 2 P.M. at the Campbell Mortuary on Thursday, June 25th. Burial was in the Blair Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Leslie Offen, Calle Hansen, Joe Taylor, Andrew Nielsen, L.G. Faltys, Ernest Schmidt and Howard Lippincott.