Vance Sheldon Larson, 77, of Wabasha and formerly of Sargeant, was called to his heavenly home on Tuesday, 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. The Larson family was involved in raising turkeys, hogs, crop farming and operating the Sargeant Grain Co. Vance started raising turkeys in 1953, at the age of 14, with his father, in rural Sargeant. 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, as well as serving as president of the board. He also served on the board of First Farmers and Merchants Bank for more than 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 Minnesota.  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; sons, Randy (Laura) Larson of the Colony, Texas; Mark (Tracy) Larson of Waltham; Chad (Denise) Larson of Galesville, Wis.; daughter, Rochelle (Bryan) Peltzer of Phoenix; and stepsons, David (Melanie) Haugen of Lanesboro and Michael (Michelle) Haugen of St. Charles. He is also survived by his brother, Larry (Sharon) Larson of Sargeant; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Home in Hayfield. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, at Evanger Lutheran Church in Sargeant. Visitation will be one hour before the service 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.  Online condolences may be left at [email protected].