John Larson, age 38, of Buffalo Center, IA passed away as a result of doing what he loved most, flying airplanes, on July 18th, 2012 in Iowa City, IA.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 21 at 1:30 PM in the North Iowa School Gymnasium in Buffalo Center with Pastor Mark Decker officiating. A visitation will be held Friday, July 20 from 5-8 PM at the schools commons area. Burial will be at Olena Mound Cemetery in Buffalo Center.

John was born on May 11, 1974 to Ron and Jackie (Friesenborg) Larson in Buffalo Center, IA. He was raised on a farm outside of Buffalo Center and developed a deep passion for farming and flying at an early age. John graduated from North Iowa High School in 1992 and went on to study Aviation at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, IA. After receiving his degree, he returned home to farm with his uncle Gary, and brother Joe, better known as Friesenborg & Larson, Inc. In 2004, John’s passion for flying was incorporated into the farm when he bought his father’s original Cessna spray plane and restored it to immaculate working condition and began aerially applying pesticides and fertilizers for farmers across northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. Under John’s direction, Friesenborg & Larson Custom Spraying quickly became a successful and reputable service that many farmers depended on in the area and was respected by his peers in the aerial application business across the Midwest.

In 2005, he met his wife Tressa, to whom he wed in September of 2007. John loved Tressa’s daughter Olivia as his own, and also was blessed in their marriage with children, Hayden and Mila. He worked hard to balance his demanding farming and spray businesses with being a devoted father and loving husband.

John pursued perfection in every aspect of his life. He was a great father, husband, friend, farmer and a fantastic aviator. He was masterful at achieving perfection with his businesses and personal pursuits all the while being humble enough to foster countless friendships with all those he came across. He was a respected employer, generous member of the community, and was always there for his friends when they needed help. John also had a witty sense of humor and knew how to have a good time with his many friends on snowmobile trips, vacations or over drinks at the local establishment. He will be missed deeply by a large community of people who loved and cared for him.

John is survived by his wife Tressa of Buffalo Center along with their children Olivia(10), Hayden (3) and Mila (8 months). His mother, Jackie Larson of Buffalo Center, IA. His brother Joe and wife Shelia of Thompson and their children Alysha, Caleb and Abi , his sister Jodi and her husband Tracy of Buffalo Center and their children Cody and Jessica. Parents in law, Dan and Becky Martinson of Joice, Ia, Brother in law Chris Martinson of Thompson, IA, brother and sister in law, Ryan and Michelle Martinson of Pleasant Hill, IA and their child, Avery. Along with many other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Ron Larson, and grandmothers, Opal Friesenborg and Swea Larson.