Duane 'Swede' Dean Larson Obituary (1935

Our dearly beloved husband, father, and Papa, USMC Captain Duane "Swede" Larson, passed away on August 7, 2022, at the age of 87, with his wife, Therese, by his side. Swede was born in Storm Lake, Iowa, to Ernest and Lea Larson. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1952. He quickly grew in rank to become a USMC Captain. His career included three tours in Vietnam. He participated in many helicopter rescue missions, and in the final evacuation of Saigon and Phenm Penn, aboard an aircraft carrier, bringing many people to safety in the Philippines. During those years, Duane was married to his first wife, Kathy Yeakle, and had two daughters, Rhonda Dee, and Shellie Rene. While on one of his tours in Okinawa, Swede met and married, Therese. While living in Okinawa for five years, they adopted their daughters, Anne Marie, from Korea, and Mary (Mellie), from the U.S. After 25 years in the Marine Corp, Swede worked for several years as an engineer at Boeing, and then finished his career at Hanford, as a Manager of Engineering. Swede had a huge heart and wanted to do all he could for those he loved. He had an intelligent quick-wit, and keen sense of humor that we all appreciated. He said the unexpected and had many stories and sayings from his early days on the farm in Iowa. He was a proud Marine and preferred to celebrate the Marine Corps. birthday over his own birthday. Swede was a skilled carpenter and enjoyed spending time building a barn, and fixing things on his property in Yakima, and a perfect playhouse in Kent, complete with lights, a mailbox, blown-in ceilings, a porch, and window boxes. He loved being seen on his Allis Chalmers tractor, smoking a cigar, and shoveling snow on his riding lawn mower. Swede will be missed more than any words can express, but he will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. "If you live to be 100, I want to be 100 minus a day, so I never have to live a day without you." -Winnie the Pooh Swede is survived by his wife, Therese, of 50 years, his daughters, Rhonda Larson (Zack), of Huntington Beach, California, Anne Marie Larson, of Yakima, Washington, Mary "Mellie" (Bryan) Bright, of Bonney Lake, Washington, grandchildren, Austin (Shyan) Larson, McKayla (Jeff) Stucker, Marcus Partlow, Ava and Liam Bright, great-grandchildren, Alice Anne and Abigail Stormy, brothers, Elwood Larson, Pastor Tom Larson. Swede is preceded in death by his daughter, Rachelle Rene, his brother, Delwyn Larson, his sister, Eileen Ahart, and his parents, Ernest and Lea Larson. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. A Vigil with Military Honors was held at Brookside Funeral Home. Swedes final resting place will be Holy Rosary Cemetery, in Moxee, Washington. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com. Click to View LIVE Service SERVICES Visitation Friday, August 26, 2022 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Brookside Funeral Home 500 W. Prospect Rd Moxee, WA 98936 Friday, August 26, 2022 5:00 PM Brookside Funeral Home 500 W. Prospect Rd Moxee, WA 98936 Saturday, August 27, 2022 10:00 AM Holy Rosary Catholic Church 201 N Iler St. Moxee, WA 98936