Jacob Andrew Larsen, Jr., known to friends and family as Jake, died peacefully at the age of 93 on July 16, 2015 at the Atlanta Hospice Center. Until five days before his death, he was living with his daughter in Tucker, Georgia.
Jake was born at home in Magnolia Township, Wisconsin on January 25, 1922 to Jacob and Laura Larsen. He grew up with older brother Charlie, and younger brothers Leland and Irving, and sister Carol on the family dairy farm. He join the Army Air Corp in 1940 and served in WWII with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was stationed in North Africa, Italy and France. He was discharged in 1945. On the GI bill, he attended the University of Wisconsin and completed a Masters in Mechanical Engineering. In 1948, he fell in love and married Marian McKenzie. Living in Madison, Wisconsin, they raised their family of three daughters. Jake worked for Ray-o-vac Battery Company and was transferred from Wisconsin to Massachusetts in 1965 and to South Carolina in 1967. In 1970, he went to work for Duracell. He and Marian lived in Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and Massachusetts. After 40 years of marriage, Marian passed away. Jake married Helen Williamson in 1990 and lived with her in West Roxbury, Massachusetts until her death in 2009. Daughter Barbara became his social planner, travel companion, and caregiver, spending summers in Massachusetts and winters in Georgia.
A life-long Lutheran, Jake used his time, talent, and treasure serving the church on councils, committees and choirs. He was a faithful Mason. He enjoyed bridge and cribbage. As a veteran of WWII, he attended 451st Bomb Squadron Reunions all over the US.
He is survived by his sister Carol (husband Robert) Purcell, his three daughters: Lucinda (husband Greg) Saue, Rebecca Larsen (husband David Massengale), and Barbara Larsen. He has three grandchildren: Ilse (husband Steve) McClary, Gretchen Saue, and Elenore Hundley. He has five Great grandchildren: Lauren Fletcher, Ian McClary, Dylan McClary, Logan McClary and Mason McClary.
A memorial service will be held at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer at 731 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, Georgia at 7:00 pm on July 31, 2015. Family and friends may gather at 6:30 pm. Another memorial service will be held in the future in Wisconsin where his ashes will be buried along side Marian.
Memorial donations can be sent to Holden Village, HC 0 Box 2, Chelan, WA 98816
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