Charles Jeffers Larson's Obituary
Charles Jeffers Larson was born on the farm in the town of Amherst to Agnes (Jeffers) and Charles W. Larson. He died May 24, 2026, at the age of 96 in the same house where he was born, his beloved Lakeside Acres.
He attended the one-room Pipe School and often joked that he graduated as salutatorian of his class of two. He was a proud graduate of the Waupaca High School class of 1947. Charles was the first in his family to attend college when he studied agricultural education at River Falls State Teachers College, now UW-River Falls, graduating in 1951. From 1948-58 he served in the Wisconsin National Guard and Army Reserve and was discharged as a second lieutenant.
Charles was a life-long teacher, an amazing storyteller and legendary for his quick wit. Everywhere he went, he seemed to know everyone.
His adventures in teaching first took him to Cuba City, Wisconsin, where he taught agriculture, general science and even a semester of chemistry. He married Aralda Thayer, a college classmate who he met at a freshman mixer, in 1953. Together they built a family that put hard work, learning and service as core values. His children have many a memory of tagging along on his farm visits to see students. There may have been a few kittens or puppies that ALMOST sneaked into the truck too.
Charles had the chance to come home when a teaching job opened in Waupaca. There he taught agriculture, biology and horticulture. Equally important to his classroom lessons, was the impact he had on countless FFA members. He was a mentor to his fellow agricultural educators and students alike. He retired in 1990 after 39 years of teaching.
Charles was not one to only have one thing going at a time. He and his wife and oldest daughter, Aralda Ann, purchased National Farm Book Company, which they operated from their farm home from 1981 to 1998.
After retirement, he and Aralda attended several Elderhostels in the winter in warm areas. They made two trips to New Zealand and spent part of some winters on the gulf coast of Florida. He and his daughter Cathy took in some family heritage when they traveled to England with the Griswold Family Association. An avid genealogist and history buff, Charles could trace the family history back to the 1400s.
He was a member of several genealogy and historical societies including Colonial Wars. He was a founding member of the Green Bay Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Chapter. He later was State President of the SAR and a National Trustee. He also belonged to the 1812 Society and Sons of the Union Veterans. He was long time member of St. Olaf's Episcopal Church in Amherst and a 70-plus-year member of the Masonic Lodge. In recognition of his service to agricultural education, Charles was inducted into the Wisconsin FFA Hall of Fame. He was especially proud a few years later when his son Paul was given the same honor, making them the first father and son duo to be selected.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 63 years, Aralda; and an infant son, Eric.
Survivors include daughter Aralda Ann (Brion) Bell, son Jeffers Larson, son David (Julie Eiden) Larson, son Paul (Fonda) Larson and daughter Catherine (Gregory) Leaf. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Robin (Kristina) Larson, Kathryn Larson, Spencer (Katelyn) Larson, Claire (Dan Dinsmore) Larson, Connor (Rona Jin) Larson, Charlie (Jen Graf) Larson and Robyn Leaf; two step-grandchildren, Brandon (Julie) Leaf and Holly (Sarah Scheeler) Leaf; and three great-grandchildren, Lars Dinsmore, Loretta Dinsmore and Everly Larson.
A memorial gathering will be held on Monday June 8, 2026 from 4 pm until 7 pm at the Jungers-Holly Funeral Home in Amherst. A private service will be held at a later date at St. Olaf's Episcopal Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Larson Family Scholarship, St. Olaf's Building Fund, the UW-River Falls College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences or a charity of your choice.
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