Vance Sheldon Larson, 77, of Wabasha, Minnesota and formerly of Sargeant, Minnesota was called to his heavenly home on Oct. 25, 2016.

Vance was born on April 28, 1939, the son of Lyall and Florence (Wilson) Larson. He grew up on the family farm in rural Sargeant, Minnesota. The Larson family was involved in raising turkeys, hogs, crop farming and operating the Sargeant Grain Company. Vance started raising turkeys in 1953, at the age of 14, with his father, in rural Sargeant, Minnesota. Vance graduated from Hayfield High School in 1957. He joined the Navy Air Reserve in 1956, and served in active duty in 1958 and 1959. He finished reserve duty in 1962. After active military, he returned to continue his career in working in the family operation.

Vance was actively involved with the Mower county 4-H for several years and served on various boards within his community and Mower County. He served on the Sargeant Township Board for 21 years and on the Mower County Zoning Board for four years. He served on the board of the Oaks Country Club in Hayfield, Minnesota as well as serving as president of the Board. He also served on the board of First Farmers and Merchants Bank for over 20 years. In 2006, Vance and his brother Larry were inducted into the Mower County Livestock Hall of Fame.

Vance served on several boards within the turkey industry, including the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association for eight years, the Midwest Poultry Federation for six years, serving as President in 1981. He received the Ranelius Award for the year 1986-1987 for outstanding service to the Turkey Industry of MN. He was on the National Turkey Federation Board for eight years and served as President in 1986. He presented the pardoned Thanksgiving Day Turkey, whose name was Benjamin, to President Ronald Reagan in 1986.

In February 2012, Vance was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for the National Turkey Federation.

Vance was a lifelong member of Evanger Lutheran Church in rural Sargeant and served on the church council for 12 years as well as President of the congregation.

Vance took great pride in being a farmer and spent his life promoting and supporting agriculture. Vance also was very passionate about aviation. He enjoyed being a pilot and owning his own airplanes.

Vance is survived by his wife, Lynette Larson, Wabasha, Minnesota; sons, Randy (Laura) Larson, the Colony, Texas; Mark (Tracy) Larson, Waltham, Minnesota; Chad (Denise) Larson, Galesville, Wisconsin; daughter, Rochelle (Bryan) Peltzer, Phoenix, Arizona; step-sons, David (Melanie) Haugen, Lanesboro, Minnesota; and Michael (Michelle) Haugen, St. Charles, Minnesota. He is also survived by his brother, Larry (Sharon) Larson, Sargeant, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Home 501 Second St. NW in Hayfield, Minnesota. The funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, at Evanger Lutheran Church, 33554 660th Ave. in Sargeant, Minnesota, with visitation one hour before at the church. The family wishes that memorials be dedicated to Evanger Lutheran Church. God bless the memory of our loved one, Vance Sheldon Larson.  www.czaplewskifh@frontiernet.net