William O. (Bill) Larson, age 88, of Bemidji, Minnesota, passed away peacefully and entered into the Presence of Jesus on August 22, 2025, at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, after suffering with pain for several years.

Bill was born on September 9, 1936 in Blue Earth, Minnesota where he grew up with 8 siblings. As a youth, he spent many hours trapping and fishing on the Blue Earth River. At the age of 17, needing his dad's permission, he joined the Navy. He credited the Navy for giving him a greater understanding of the world by encountering different ideas, cultures, and ways of life.

Bill was a life-long learner and teacher. While in the Navy he received his GED. After his discharge, with assistance from the GI Bill, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Mankato State University. Later he, went on to earn a Master of Teaching in Physical Science degree from Idaho State University. He began his teaching career in Ellsworth, WI. Having been a wrestler in college, he was hired as a wrestling coach and teacher in Brooklyn Center, MN. Wanting to follow one of his boyhood dreams of living in Alaska, he applied for and was hired by Seward Public Schools where he taught and was the assistant wrestling coach. Another boyhood dream brought him back to Minnesota, where he was hired to teach science at Bemidji Junior High School and to fill the vacant position of assistant wrestling coach. After thirty years, he retired from teaching.

While teaching in Ellsworth, Bill met Judy, the love of his life, at the Prom Ballroom in St. Paul, MN proving their slogan correct…" You may meet the girl of your dreams." They married on June 8, 1961, moving to Seward two years later. It was there that their faith in Jesus was born and their lives were changed forever.

Putting his faith into action, Bill has served on the boards of the churches he's attended-First Lutheran, and First Assembly of God. For many years, he along with his wife Judy, have led prayer groups. Bill will long be remembered as a man of strong faith and prayer, always ready to pray with others in need.

The second boyhood dream of Bill's was to have a small farm. Judy and Bill decided to move back to Minnesota, having faith that they would find one. Because of Bill's passion for hunting and fishing, they chose northern Minnesota-Bemidji. After two years, they found their farm where they lived for 57 years. The farm with its fields, forest and creek provided a place to hunt, canoe, swim, raise sheep, grow crops, and harvest wild rice. Above all it was a wonderful place to raise two children and gather with friends. (Also to be noted, Bill was an avid Vikings fan.)

Bill is survived by his wife, Judy of 62 years; son Devin Larson of Bemidji; daughter Tawna Schilling of Duluth; grandchildren Tricia Eschliman, Treston Schilling, Mikinzie Schilling; great grandchildren Abby Eschliman, Macy Eschliman, Marley Eschliman, Brighton Schilling; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Morris, Milton, Jim, Joe, and Jerry, sisters Minnie Dobbins, and Bunny Susan Wolf. A visitation will be held at First Assembly of God Church in Bemidji on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 AM with a reception to follow. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Bemidji, MN.

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