Dewey Larson, Wood

Dewey Larson, 88, Wood, died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, at Winner Regional Healthcare Long Term Care Facility, Winner.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at Wood Community Hall. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Wood. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Mason Funeral Home, Winner, with a 7 p.m. prayer service.

He was born on March 15, 1922, on a farm south of Vivian to Lars C. and Lulu H. (Smith) Larson.

The family moved to a farm in Badnation Township when he was 3 years old.

In 1930, the family moved into Wood, where he attended grade school and then graduated from Wood High School in 1942.

He went to National Youth Association Camp in Aberdeen, to welding school and then was sent to Seattle to work in the shipyards.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1942. He was in Company A, 315th Engineer Battalion, 90th Infantry Division.

In June 1944, he was shipped to Normandy, France, where he took part in the invasion.

He was wounded in action on June 15, 1944, recovered in England and returned to his original unit.

He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star for Heroic Achievement, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Arrowhead for the Invasion of France, Marksman’s Badge, Driver’s Badge, European African Middle East Theater Service Medal, American Service Medal and three Overseas Service Bars.

After his discharge, he returned to Wood, where he started farming and ranching.

In 1951, he bought the Mobil Station and operated Dewey’s Service for 47 years.

On June 24, 1952, he married June Evans of Wood.

He was a member of Assembly of God Church, served as mayor of Wood for 25 years and was a lifetime member of McBride Legion Post No. 19 in Wood, which he joined in 1948. He served as commander of the post, district commander, finance officer, chaplain and state area vice commander. He was also a lifetime member of Winner Chapter 21 of Disabled American Veterans.

He served for several years on Wood Volunteer Fire Department and on Mellette County FHA Board.

He is survived by his wife, five children: David and wife Eileen, Wood; Cheryl Moser and husband Mike, Franksville, Wis.; Betty Rowe and husband Mick, Carter; Rosalie Meyer and husband Dean, Mound, Minn.; and Gary and wife Terri, Sioux Falls; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters; Mayme, Gertrude and Hazel; and four brothers: Ernest, Clifford, Arthur and Floyd.

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