Dwight Larsen

Dwight John Larsen was born February 18, 1942. After a long six-year battle with cancer, he passed away peacefully on July 14, 2024, at his home in Hood River, surrounded by his family. He was 82 years old. Dwight was the oldest of five children born to Jack and Lila (Pajari) Larsen in Park Rapids, Minnesota.
At the age of ten, Dwight's family moved to White Sulphur Springs, Montana, where he grew up living in logging camps with his family. He was raised as part of a happy Christian family where his parents shared their love of the Bible with their five children. When he was just 14 years old, Dwight made the decision to dedicate his life to serving his Creator, Jehovah God, and he was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on June 9, 1956.
As a young boy, he had a love for everything fast. As a teenager, he rode saddle bronc in the rodeo, then moved on to motorcycle and snowmobile racing, earning several trophies. He would gladly show these to you with a shy smile while recounting his fun adventures.
One Sunday in 1964, while visiting the local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Thompson Falls, Montana, he first set eyes on Ruth Ann (Weldon) wearing a leopard fur coat. As far as Dwight was concerned it was love at first sight. Soon after they were married on May 29, 1965. They spent their first year together in Montana and then followed Ruth Ann's family to Hood River, Oregon. Dwight had always dreamed of cutting big timber in the Pacific Northwest. He and Ruth Ann quickly realized that they were at home in Hood River.
Dwight worked in the woods and lumber industry, first driving logging and chip trucks before living out his dream of becoming a timber faller in the great Pacific Northwest. As their family started to grow, they eventually bought a home on Binns Hill which quickly became known as the "Larsen Lodge". Their home was always full of family and friends, whether you were just over for dinner, or for a good game of pinochle, everyone knew they were always welcome.
Dwight was known as a loyal husband, father, and friend who was always ready to help his family or friends with anything that needed to be fixed, moved, or tweaked. Whether you called him because your fuel pump went out, you needed help moving, or you were looking for a new car, he would soon call you back and say his famous words "Here's the plan...". Dwight loved being busy and having something to do. His mind never stopped. If he was awake, he was thinking of something to build, fix, or invent. His helping hands and willing spirit will greatly be missed by his family and friends. Dwight's love of snowmobiles and motorcycles continued even into his later years. He loved going for rides with his son, grandsons, and friends all over the Northwest.
Dwight was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Lila (Pajari) Larsen. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann (Weldon) Larsen of Hood River; daughters, Valerie (Andy) Davenport of Vancouver, Washington, Rhonda (Warren) Schaffer of Lead, South Dakota, Sherina (Dex) Wilson of The Dalles, Oregon; son, Allen (Alethia) Larsen of Hood River; grandsons, Jacob Larsen and Levi (Makenna) Larsen of Hood River; brothers, Gerald Larsen and Arlan (Sharon) Larsen; sisters, Brenda (Rod) Learn and Yvonne (Phil) Volk; and many more nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Dwight loyally served his God throughout his whole life. He never wavered from living his life by the standards he learned from the Bible. He continued to the end of his life, actively sharing his faith and the hope he had of a better future at every opportunity he had. He cherished the Bible's promise of a time when the earth will be restored to a paradise, and we will all live forever on it in perfect health and in peace.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, July 27, 2024 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses (1619 Tucker Road, Hood River, OR 97031)
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.