Gary Larsen

TERRY - Gary Larsen, age 72, lifetime resident of Terry, passed away Sunday, Oct. 5, 2003, at the Holy Rosary Extended Care Unit in Miles City, following a massive stroke he had in July.
Gary was born in Terry on March 9, 1931, the son of Harold and Kathryn (Hamlin) Larsen. He attended schools in Terry, where he graduated from Terry High School. Gary married Carol Brubaker on June 16, 1957, in Terry. Gary worked on several ranches in the area during the summers from a young age. He loved animals, especially horses, and loved children of all ages. He was a teaser and had a great sense of humor. Gary served in the United States Air Force for four years. In his spare time, he enjoyed doing carpentry, welding, electrical work and plumbing, just to name a few. Gary served as under sheriff for three years and in 1963, he became sheriff of Prairie County, were he served for 30 years until 1993, when he retired. He continued managing his own ranch until the time of his death.
Gary was devoted to his fellow Prairie Countians, working 24 hours a day, seven days a week for them. He was an ambulance driver, rural chief of the fire department, brand inspector and was an honorary member of the Montana Livestock Inspector, member of the Peace Officer's Association and the Grazing District Scale Operator.
Gary was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Masonic Lodge #74, Royal Arch, Eastern Star and American Legion. He served on the Clinic Board, Museum Board, was chairman of the Republican Central Committee and was on the Prairie County Development Committee.
Gary is survived by his wife, Carol Larsen of Terry; his children, Del Linda Frost and her children Jamy and Danyl of Missoula; Lorna and husband Jim Younkin of Frenchtown and their children Josh, Jessica and Nick Pettigrew and Tanya, Wendy, Brandon and Britney Younkin; David Larsen and his wife Kathryn their children, Calder and Ciera of Jefferson, Ore.; and Lorin Larsen and his wife Jamie and their children Chay, Tasha and Shanya of Terry; four great-grandchildren, a brother, Robert Larsen of Terry; his sisters, Diane Falkenstern and her husband Ed of Terry; and Kay Gossett and her husband Al of Mesa, Ariz., and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew Robin.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Oct. 9, from 1 to 7 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. A Masonic Prayer Service will be held Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 10, at 2 p.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Prairie County Cemetery in Terry with full military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Prairie County Museum or to the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry.