by Owen Wiese
In a recent issue of the Argus Leader there was an article about a man who had, over a long period of time learned to play the violin. He learned to play on a violin that he received as premium for selling for selling packets of flower seeds. As the young boy practiced the violin he became proficient. One of the things he did was to play in nursing homes and care centers to entertain and bring joy to people who lived there.
When I read about that musician, I immediately thought of Ray Larson. Ray, along with his wife, Yvonne, provide music and joy at many nursing homes and care centers residents over a large area.
There are several differences about the man written about in the Argus Leader and Ray Larson. Ray, Yvonne, and their four sons are all musical. That musical ability showed itself later in life for Ray as he was providing entertainment at nursing homes and rest homes. Ray had been told by friends at Luther Manor that he had a nice voice. To be honest to the person I wrote about in the first paragraph, I do not know what the rest of his life was like.
Ray Larson has a life that is very active, with many varied events that he takes part in. Some happenings that he had parts in were very happy, some not so happy.
Ray is eighty-two years of age. He and Yvonne were married in 1965. Ray farmed west of Garretson. Ray and Yvonne were blessed with four sons. To help provide for the family, Ray also had a job with the Long and Hanson Livestock Firm in the Sioux Falls Stockyards.
Ray bought a trucking business from Selmer Johnson in 1968. Ray hauled livestock for farmers for several years. He remembers the terrible winter of 1968. The roads to the farms were snow-blocked much of the time. Any time that the roads would open for a day, everyone, it seemed, would want to haul livestock.
In 1977 the barn burned on the farm, including the milking equipment. He and his dad managed to drive all the cows from the barn. Neighbors helped round up the 85 wild-with-fright cows. Eight neighbors took 8-12 cows each to feed and milk with their herds until Ray was able to rebuild and get back in the milking business after about six months. Ray said, “that was so wonderful."
Another disaster occurred in 1986 when the house on the farm burned to the ground. Again, Ray had to find other work. He began working for Billion Motors selling trucks and cars, later Law Motors, until he retired fifteen years later.
As time went on, the farm financial situation deteriorated very badly (I can personally attest to that). In 1986 Ray and the family moved into Garretson. They moved into the house on Third Street, which by circumstance is the house one block west from the house that Lois and I live in now, and was the first house that Lois and I lived in when we were married in 1953.
Ray needed to work, so he went back to Billion Motors selling cars and trucks. After Ray and his family had lived in Garretson for several years, Harvey Balzer, the Mayor, died. Ray had shown an interest in the business affairs of the City of Garretson, so he was appointed to complete the term of Harvey Balzer. The term for the Mayor was four years and Ray completed two more terms which meant that he served ten years total. During the period of time, Ray was also the President of the Church Council at Zion Lutheran Church for two years.
There is not usually much competition for the mayor’s job in Garretson, so when Ray decided to retire from the position of mayor of Garretson, Doug Williamson was appointed to the office. The mayor’s work for smaller cities is generally a part time job. The mayor conducts monthly Council meetings and other business as needed. The person who works in the City Building and is a full-time employee takes care of other City business and answers inquiries as needed. The person who did that while Ray was the mayor was Ona Reker. She worked at that position as long as Ray was mayor. While Ray was mayor, he continued to sell cars and trucks for Billion Motors.
During Ray’s time as mayor there was a project that he is particularly proud of. That project was the one that brought natural gas to Garretson. The city still considers natural gas as one of the services that benefits the citizens of Garretson the most. Ray took part in a number of performances with the Jesse James Players. That was further evidence of his musical talent, and of his interest in activities in Garretson.
Ray and Yvonne’s sons, Douglas, Richard, Jeff, and David, graduated from Garretson High School. Of the four Larson sons, Richard is probably the most well-known currently. Richard owns the used car dealership Law Motors. Richard probably learned the ropes about selling cars and trucks from Ray’s long experience selling cars.
Law Motors is often shown on television explaining why people should buy a car from them. Richard is helped by having Ray tell why Law Motors is the place to buy a car. Ray always has a nice car to drive. I asked Ray if his car comes from Law Motors. Of course, it does!
During all the years that Ray and Yvonne have been in the Garretson area there have been vagaries in their lives, some very good and satisfying, some very difficult, ending with their strongest efforts to overcome. The earlier ones would include the loss of their house and barn to fires and the terrible winter during which Ray helped the neighbors haul their livestock. The hardest was having to move into Garretson after the economy worked against the family.
In reviewing all the things that happened to the Larson family, it can be said that probably mishaps happen to other families, but the Larson family underwent more than many do.
As Ray and Yvonne advance in age, it can be said that they are putting their talents into joy, for themselves and others.
Ray and Yvonne continue to visit nursing and care centers regularly to provide entertainment for the people who live there. Ray used to play the banjo and guitar, but now he uses CD’s. I wondered if he could still play “The Auctioneer,” which is a fast-moving melodious song. Yes, it is a frequent request. Ray and Yvonne regularly travel to fifteen or twenty locations each month, to provide entertainment and joy for many years, and plan to continue bringing fond memories to their audiences in the future.
