Melvin G. Larsen, 91, of Parsons died at 11:20 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, at Prairie Mission Retirement Village, St. Paul, where he had resided for just a few days.

He was born on Nov. 9, 1920, at Parsons to Herman and Genevieve (Schoff) Larsen. He grew up near Parsons and attended country schools and Parsons High School.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater and participated in the Battle of the Bulge, earning several decorations. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

He married Marjorie L. Manners on Aug. 6, 1946, at Liberal, Mo. She survives of the home.

He lived a few years in California before moving to Shawnee, where he worked as a truck driver for Botsford Ready Mix in Lenexa. In 1981, he moved to Parsons, where he started Larsen and Sons Foundation and operated it until his retirement.

He was a charter member of VFW Post No. 7397 of Lenexa and was instrumental in the construction of the post and held several offices. He was also a member of Parsons Foursquare Church.

Melvin enjoyed the outdoors, and he planted a garden every spring, hunted in the fall and fished whenever he could. He always enjoyed going to the Manners family barn for a visit.

Other survivors include five sons, David Larsen and his wife, Mary, of Parsons, Steve Larsen of Otterville, Mo., Robert Larsen and his, wife, Peggy, of Overland Park, Gary Larsen and his wife, Julie, of Kansas City, Mo., and Kevin Larsen, and his companion, Shelly, of Olathe; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; his brother, Kenneth Larsen of San Diego; his sister, Maxine Gaiser of Parsons; a sister-in-law, Lucille Larsen of Parsons; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by four brothers and five sisters.

The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Funeral Detail. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Foursquare Kids Camp or to the Neosho Township Fire Department and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.