Yerke Larson - line 37

Source - Year: 1930; Census Place: Greenland, McCook, South Dakota; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0009; FHL microfilm: 2341960

Yerke Larson - line 24

Source - Year: 1940; Census Place: Greenland, McCook, South Dakota; Roll: m-t0627-03861; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 44-9

Source - South Dakota Marriages, 1905-1949

Yerke Zane "Y.Z." Larson, 87, died Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at Prince of Peace Nursing Home in Sioux Falls.

Yerke Zane "Y.Z." Larson was born Nov. 6, 1922, in Brookings County, the son of Robert E. and Julia (Hillestad) Larson. He was raised on a farm near Humboldt. Y.Z. graduated from Hartford High School in 1940. While attending college for business, Y.Z. decided to join the U.S. Army to serve his country during WWII. He attended jump school and became a member of the elite 101st Airborne Division. While preparing for the Normandy Invasion, Y.Z. was stationed in Orange County, Calif. He married Pearl Ogden, a South Dakota native and they resided together in California before Y.Z. was shipped out. He served in many campaigns in Europe with the 101st and fought in many decisive battles. Y.Z. was one of the group that first took the "Eagle's Nest," Hitler's personal home in the Alps. After the war ended, Y.Z. returned home and he and his family settled in Sioux Falls. He started working at Maxwell's Hotel Supplies. He and Pearl purchased the business in 1964. Pearl died in 1966. Y.Z. owned and operated Maxwell's for the next 45 years. He stopped working full time in 2002 due to a broken hip.

Y.Z. was a master card player and spent many days playing with his friends at the Minnehaha Country Club. He also enjoyed taking his kids to the YMCA to play racquet ball. Y.Z. was very active in the veterans community, a faithful member of the VFW, DAV and American Legion. He was also an active member of the 101st Airborne Division Association and attended many events around the country. Y.Z. loved keeping in touch with family members and scheduling reunions.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Joan of Sioux Falls; two sons, Robert "Al" (Kathy) of Sioux Falls, and Gary (Linda) of Pierre; two daughters, Carol Wills of Sioux Falls and Sandra Runde (Marshall Schleve) of Rapid City.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl; grandson, Grant Lucas; brother, Vincent "Cub" Larson; and two sisters, Beverly Brandt, Florence Larson.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. CST today at Miller Funeral Home (13th and Main) in Sioux Falls. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls.

Source - Rapid City Journal - Nov 10, 2009