Dr. Dwight L. Larson, age 99, of North Platte, Nebraska passed away peacefully on Friday, August 2, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He as born on February 25, 1925 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Joseph and Lucille (Keller) Larson.
Dwight grew up in Green River, WY and graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1943. He entered the US Army and served with distinction in WWII, earning a Purple Heart for his wounds. After returning from the war, Dwight attended the University of Wyoming from 1946-1947. He then transferred to the University of Nebraska and then on to medical school in Omaha from 1949-1953. He met and married the love of his life, Shirley Holsten in Omaha on December 12, 1953, and together they had three daughters: Leanne, Jane, and Sandra. Dwight started his career at Bryan Hospital in Omaha from 1953 to 1954. He then opened his own practice in Chappell, NE and later moved to North Platte where he opened his practice there. He was in practice for 34 years and a member of the Great Plains Regional Medical staff and past president and program director of the Lincoln County Medical Society, the St. Mary’s Hospital Staff, and the Tri-County Medical Society. He was a charter Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. In 1966, Dwight developed and taught the first childbirth education classes in North Platte. He was named Nebraska Family Physician of the year in 1988. Dwight was a past Chairman of the Arts and Humanities Committee, Past Board member of the North Platte Development Corporation, and past member of the North Platte Community Concert Association. He was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Platte.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Shirley; brothers, Grant and Sherwood Larson; niece, Stacy Hutson; and nephew, Jim Plate.
Those left to celebrate his memory are daughters, Leanne (Bruce) Elder of Kearney, Jane Larson of Kearney, and Sandra (Dirk) Gray of McCook; grandchildren, Chad (Ashley) Elder, Sarah Polter, Jared Polter, Kade Gray, and Joel Gray; great-granddaughters, Emma Elder and Quinn Elder; brother in law, Robert “Bob” (Mary) Holsten sister in law of Carmel, Indiana; nieces, Becky Plate, Sara Clark, and Alison (Rick) Bond; nephew, Jeff (Donna) Holsten; along with other extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday August 9, 2024 at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Patrick Sipes officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Veterans Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors graveside. Visitation will be on Thursday August 8, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the family for future designation. Online condolences and live stream of the service may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com.