Paul J. Larson

Paul Joseph Larson was born on September 23, 1987, in Fargo, ND, to Mary Grimstad and Doug Larson. He graduated from Oak Grove Lutheran High School in 2006. He attended NDSU. Paul was an avid sales person and was proud to have obtained his real estate license in 2017. Through this role in life he touched many lives in the community.

Paul was a kind-hearted and gentle soul, with a witty sense of humor. He had a love of learning, and was inquisitive and intelligent. He could often be found at the library or with a book in hand. He loved animals and kids, which earned him the nickname of "Dr. Doolittle" from childhood. His quiet, calm demeanor endeared him to them. He had many tattoos that he designed and were symbols of his life. He extended this talent to his friends through drawings he did for them.

In recent years he struggled with alcohol addiction and depression. He tried through the years to conquer the disease and seek help, with the support of his family. It was an ongoing and difficult battle for him, which he willfully tried to do on his own. He provided encouragement and support to many others who shared similar struggles.

Paul died on January 17, 2018, at the age of 30 years. Mourning his loss are his mother, Mary; father, Doug; siblings, Rebecca Larson of the Twin Cities, Daniel (Erica) Larson of St. Paul, MN, and David Larson of Cary, NC; and beloved uncles, aunts and cousins. He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Arthur and Esther Grimstad; paternal grandparents, Ernest and Lillian Larson; and uncle, James Roller.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 25, 2018, from 5:00-7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead, MN. The Life Celebration service will be on Friday, January 26, 2018, at 10:30 AM in Liberty Lutheran Brethren Church, Fargo. The family requests no floral arrangements. Memorials may be directed to The New Life Center in Fargo, so that another life may be saved.

Depression and addiction individually are cruel afflictions. Compounded, they are a spirit-crushing scourge. Watching a loved one suffer in this way is absolutely heart-wrenching. You want to take away their pain, but any sort of help goes seemingly unheeded. It is as though they are sinking in quicksand and are unable to take hold of the hands reaching out to try to rescue them. But you keep trying to help them even when it seems futile. You never stop hoping that one day they will miraculously accept the help offered to them. If you have a loved one suffering in this way, always tell them you love them. Even when they are unable to accept the love because their pain is too great, and they are unable to love themselves. Their broken and tortured hearts still need to hear they are loved. We have always, and will always, love you, our beloved, Paul. In our hearts, we know that Paul is finally at peace.

Online guestbook: www.korsmofuneralservice.com