August “Jon” Larson, 82 of Nortonville, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly on December 15. He passed away after suffering a traumatic brain injury from a fall.  He was surrounded by his loving wife and children.

Jon was born in Wichita, Kansas. He was the youngest of four children born to Emma Maxine and Walter William Larson.

He joined the Marine Corp and served at Camp Pendleton, Okinawa, Japan, and the Philippines. All of Jon’s service was served during peace time. He treasured the discipline and travel the Corp provided.

After his service, he moved back to Tulsa, OK and worked for Del Web. He met a friend that introduced him to the idea of working for the railroad. He then moved to Atchison, Kansas in 1962 and began to work for Union Pacific Railroad. In 1963, he met and later married the love of his life. Jon and Louise (Betty) Weishaar united in Holy Matrimony on August 8, 1964 at St Joseph Catholic Church, Nortonville, Kansas. The couple moved to Prairie Village, KS. There, the first two of their five children were born. The family moved to Chicago, IL where a third child joined the crew. A move to Cleveland, OH the following year brought a fourth child. Jon provided for his family as a medical supply salesman. In 1975 the job took the family to sunny Southern California. The last of their children was born in CA in 1985. The family remained in California until one by one, they each moved back to Kansas in the 90’s.

Jon enjoyed summer vacations with his family. They toured much of the nation, visiting National Parks, landmarks, and hotels with pools. Later, he and his wife expanded their travels to Europe and Hawaii; memories that he treasured and spoke of frequently.

Jon was a coach to his son’s baseball and football teams. He was an avid DIY’er which led him to restoring a 1937 Ford pickup truck. He was passionate about V-8’s and was a board member of the Kansas City V-8 Club. He loved golfing, watching the Kansas State Wildcats and all sports and activities his beloved grandsons were involved in. He also pushed the boundaries of social distancing by giving everyone a hug regardless of an invitation, spouting off useless trivia, and telling dad jokes whenever he could.

He is survived by his wife, Louise (Betty) of the home, his five children, August (Lance) Larson (Paula), Nortonville, KS; Shawn Gigstad (Dwight), Nortonville, KS; Erika Larson, Overland Park, KS; Dirk Larson, Kansas City, MO; Jessica Axel (Jeremy), Denver, CO, and seven grandsons; August Justin Larson, Jeremy Patrick Larson, Samuel Henry Larson, George Oliver Gigstad II, Anthony William Larson, Levi Raymond Axel, and Sterling Arthur Axel.  

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Monday at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Nortonville, KS., Visitation will be Sunday Afternoon 4-6PM with rosary to be cited at 4PM. Memorials may be made to the Church or to St. Judes Research Hospital and sent in care of the Barnett Family Funeral Home, PO Box 602, Oskaloosa, KS 66066