Roy Eli Larson, 85

Roy Eli Larson, 85, passed away Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, in Moyie Springs.

A graveside funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday,  Aug. 29, in Westmond Cemetery. The Rev. Nevin J. Neal from Bonners Ferry will officiate.

Roy was born Oct. 20, 1923, in Rolla, N.D., to Olaf and Anna Larson.

The family moved to Sagle in 1936 and Roy attended Bonner County schools.

He served with the U.S. Army during World War II, seeing action at Normandy and Central Europe.  Roy spent 17 months in a prisoner of war camp in Germany.

Following the war, he returned to Sandpoint, working in area sawmills. Roy pulled green chain at the Colburn Mill for many years.

He lived in Colburn, Sagle and Naples, later moving to Moyie Springs.

Roy was a member of the Circle and Swing Square Dance Club and Sandpoint Eagles Lodge, Aeire No. 589.

He is survived by his wife, Helena Kirkendall of Creston, British Columbia, Canada, his children Marie Corbin in Chiloquin, Ore., Sandra Larson in Klamath Falls, Ore., Mike Larson in Bonners Ferry, Ricky Larson of Ponderay, Rocky Larson of Post Falls, Dale Larson of Kootenai, Ken Kirkendall of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Miles Kirkendall in New Glasgo, N.S., Floyd Kirkendall in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Vickie Walkerof Kelowna, British Columbia and Valerie Joy in Revelstroke, British Columbia; 32 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; his brother Lyle Larson in Wenatchee, Wash.; and a sister Edna Eldred in Spokane, Wash.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lee, his wife Nell, a grandchild and a great-grandchild.

Family and friends may sign Roy’s online guestbook at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Coffelt Funeral Service in Sandpoint handled arrangements.