John passed away of natural causes at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, MT on July 28, 2023. His daughter Mary was by his side.
John was the youngest of seven children born to Harry and Cecilia Larson in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Though the family farm was less than successful, John’s love of nature, playful attitude, and strong work ethic took root in the rich soil of Indiana. Naturally athletic, John ran track and played football before leaving home at 14 to become a Benedictine brother.
To say that his family was religious would be an understatement. Of six surviving children, three became nuns, one a priest, one a deacon, and John spent nine years at Blue Cloud Abbey in South Dakota.
From the monastery to the mines of Butte, John followed his heart and met Eulalia Hanley in 1956. They were married in 1957 and shared 48 adventurous years until her passing in 2005.
John and Eulalia moved frequently during the first decade of their life together, welcoming four children along the way. In 1969 they moved to Helena, which would become their long-term home. John was a gas journeyman at the Montana Power Company and a strong union advocate, but his love of Helena was forged in exciting outdoor adventures.
Even though John was not gifted with an abundance of patience, he happily took four kids on his adventures, passing on his love of the outdoors to each one of them.
John lived life full out, on his own terms. He enjoyed running, fishing, photography, camping, hunting, and other sports or nature-related activities. He bottled beer and smashed choke cherries into near-lethal levels of potent wine.
After a brief stint in St. George, Utah, where Eulalia passed, John moved back to Helena, where he met and married the second love of his life, Leila Fay Hartman in 2007. John and Leila were able to travel, fish, and cheer on Carroll College and Notre Dame football teams before his health started to fail. They bonded over their faith, and as John’s health declined, she was by his side.
John is survived by his wife, Leila; four children: Mary Agnes, Joan (Bob) Hoedel, John Larson, and Jim (Margie) Larson; six grandchildren: Matthew, Connor( Lyndsay), and Tyler Larson; McKayla and Kylie Hoedel and Amber Larson; and one great-grandson – Lennon.
We will miss John’s passion for the causes he cared about, his brutal honesty, his easy ability to laugh, and his enthusiasm for life. His faith was our anchor, and he was ours.
John’s life will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 2nd at the Cathedral of St. Helena. The Rosary will be prayed immediately before the Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m., so please arrive early if you would like to join the family and friends of John in prayer.
Memorials may be sent in John’s name to the Cathedral of St. Helena or to Florence Crittenton Family Services. ( https://www.sthelenas.org or https://www.florencecrittenton.org)
Service Schedule
Rosary
11:30 a.m.
Wednesday August 2, 2023
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday August 2, 2023
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Following the Funeral Mass
Wednesday August 2, 2023
Resurrection Cemetery
3685 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Burial
Wednesday August 2, 2023
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Rosary
11:30 a.m.
Wednesday August 2, 2023
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday August 2, 2023
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Following the Funeral Mass
Wednesday August 2, 2023
Resurrection Cemetery
3685 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Burial
Wednesday August 2, 2023
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
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Rebekka Dodge says
Larson’s were family friends during our formative years growing up. Later my mom asked him to be a reader at her funeral. He certainly lived a full life. My condolences to his children and family. I will always have good memories of John.
Mary Holloway says
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Caldwells says
John was a pillar of the Cathedral and a welcoming smile at our daily mass. He and Leila are such special, loving people and true models of Catholic living. We are happy that John is at peace at God’s table, and we know we’ll see him again. He’ll be interceding for us in Heaven! May John rest in peace. Love from the Caldwells.