Jack Larsen

Jack Larsen was a gregarious, generous man, a fast-talking, fun-loving fellow as sociable as he was sentimental. Jack was a proud veteran, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a loyal, beloved friend to so many. Most of all, Jack taught us to enjoy the goodness in life, from sunup to sundown, and everything in between. Jacks story began on a cold winter day in 1924, as the ice began to thaw in the shoreline city of Muskegon, Michigan. Those were good days in this country, times of peace and prosperity, during the heyday of the Roaring 20s, and the peak of Prohibition. On February 27, 1924, Julius and Sadie (Scott) Larsen celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Jack. Jack was the youngest of three children, joining his big sister Leona. His older brother Julius sadly died as a little boy. The family lived in Muskegon, where Jacks dad worked as an interior decorator, painting many homes and wallpapering rooms, while Jacks mom cared for their own home and the kids. Jack led a very typical youth, and loved going to the lake as a boy, forming a lifelong love for the water, the sunrise and the brilliant sunsets over Lake Michigan. He helped his dad in the painting business, and attended Muskegon Public Schools, and eventually went to Muskegon High School. After the terrible bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, Jack was ready to rush off to war to fight for his country. But he was only 15 at the time, two years away from being legally eligible. After another year passed, his country firmly entrenched in the war, Jack could wait no longer. So he headed to Kalamazoo, Michigan on October 29, 1942, and enlisted in the Army Air Corps, telling them he was born in 1923, instead of 1924! So the 16-year-old Jack found himself in the military, where he also continued his schooling and earned his high school diploma. His life would change in many ways while he was in the service, however. One day Jack met a young woman named Martha Seppamaki, and the two hit it off. They began dating, and were soon married, too. Before Jack knew it, he was the proud father of a baby girl, named Jackie Ann. Sadly, Martha died when Jackie was just 18 months old, leaving Jack as a widowed serviceman and single parent. He wouldnt remain alone forever, however. Jack eventually met a young lady named Jane, who he married in 1946, after the wars end. The couple soon added four children to Jacks family, Ron, Theresa, Michael, and Mark, who they all called Boo-boo. The family did much together when the kids were young, and they all especially enjoyed their many family picnics and camping outings on the Lake Michigan beach, at what is now called Hoffmaster State Park. Jack provided for his family by working as a truck driver, a difficult, arduous job that kept him away from home on occasion. His marriage to Jane would end in divorce after 22 years, though he remained a loving and loyal father to his children. Jack wouldnt be alone for long. One night he was at a popular local tavern, where he reconnected with a high school classmate, a wonderful woman named Lois Hartman, and they began dating. The two fell in love, dated for five years, and were married on a unseasonably stormy day, January 9, 1969, the beginning of a beautiful life together. Jack continued working as a truck driver, until an injury at work forced him to go on disability and finally retire. Of course, Jack found plenty to do in retirement, being the social, fun-loving man he was. Jack was a lifelong, founding member of the Mona Lake Boating Club, which started in 1940, and over the years his involvement grew there. He was even a past Commodore. Jack was a outgoing, fun-loving man, and very active in the American Legion, where he became an Officer, and a member at the Our Saviors Lutheran Church, as well. He always wanted to be involved, wherever he went. Jack had a lifelong love of the water, and he loved grabbing Lois, hopping in the car, and heading to the lake, though his destinations were always spontaneous. Some days it would be Muskegon, or Ludington, Traverse City for the day, or even Mackinac Island! Jack had many hobbies, and filled his days with woodworking out in the garage, making lawn ornaments (especially tulips), recipe boxes or anything else that caught his eye. He also became an avid coin collector, too. Of course, Jacks favorite pastime was filling a thermos full of coffee and an egg sandwich, and watching the sunrise with his beloved wife on the beach. He loved those morning drives with his wife, who meant so much to him. Sadly, Jack died on Tuesday, September 30, 2008, at the age of 84. Jack was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life full of family and fond memories. He was a proud veteran, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, but most of all, Jack was a man who truly appreciated the life he led, from sunup to sundown, and taught us to do the same. He will be greatly missed. Jack is survived by his wife, Lois; sons, Ronald (Pamela) Larsen of Whitehall, Michael (Kristine) Larsen of Muskegon, Mark (Joan) Larsen of VA; daughters, Theresa Raby of AZ; 14 grandchildren & numerous great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jackie Jager & sister, Leona Deery. Services are scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2008, 2:00 PM at Clock Chapel with Pastor Karen Biggerstaff officiating. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation is Friday, October 3, 2008, 4:00-7:00 PM & Saturday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial donations may be made to the Heartland Healthcare of Whitehall. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.