Robert Thomas (Bob) Larson, born to Wilbur Frederick and Esther Airy
     (Thomas) Larson of Cloud County, Kansas, fell in love with and married
     Charlene Larson in Medicine Lodge, August 26, 1951; he also fell in 
     love with and wed the Gyp Hills.
       The Larsons met at Kansas State Agricultural College, Manhattan, where
     Bob earned a degree in soil conservation; Charlene, in home economics.
     After graduation they lived in Chicago, while Bob completed his two year
     ROTC obligation as an officer of the Army 86th Anti-Aircraft Battalion,
     at Fort Sheridan.
       A daughter, Charyl Denise, was born at Great Lakes Naval Training
     Station in Waukegan, Illinois. A son, Robert Gant, was born immediately
     after they moved to the Gan homeplace, July 1956.
       Charlene (christened Evelyn Charlene) had been born on the Gant
     homestead, to Charley and Mildred Gant. As a child working with her
     grandfather, she adopted his love of cattle; from her Dad she espoused
     his love of horses. She graduated from Forest City School and Medicine
     Lodge High School. She was a member of Mingona Boosters 4-H Club. She
     attended Girls' State and the first Future Homemakers of America National
     Convention.
       Bob was active in 4-H, Future Farmers, athletics and attended Boys'
     State.
       Beginning their ranching after a long drouth, Larson's immediate project
     was an irrigation system for ensilage. They bought calves in the fall and
     sold yearlings in the spring. For increased ranch productivity, they raised
     sheep 8 years - usually about 850 ewes.
       Entering a partnership with Charley Gant, they exclusively bred Hereford
     cattle, always retaining the best to improve the quality of the herd,
     usually 200 mother cows. Presently they opereate 3,500 acres: 2,500 owned,
     1000 leased grassland; 100 of 300 cultivated acres is irrigated.
       Since 1966 Charlene has addd to homemaking and ranching tasks, a
     teaching career in home economics, at MLHS. Active in professional 
     organizations, she serves on the State Steering Committee for Curriculum
     Development, for the Kansas State Department of Education. The Kansas
     Association of Vocational Home Economics Teachers voted her the "Master
     Teacher" of 1979.
       During her teaching, both children completed high schoo. Charly graduated
     from Kansas State University, majoring in home economics. She served as
     Finney County Extension 4-H Agent until her marriage to Mark Zier of Lincoln,
     Kansas, May 1979. Mark's employment in Minneapolis, Minnesota, utilizes his
     KSU degree in milling. Robert completed a major in farm and ranch management
     at Colby Community College and is employed on the Lonker Ranch. He wed Kay
     Thompson of Solomon, Kansas in 1977 and resides in the Gant ranchhouse on
     Bitter Creek.
       During the 1970-71 school year, Laila Oppendahl, an AFS student from
     Norway, was added to their family. In 1973 the four Larsons attended Laila's
     wedding in Norway and visited other countries.
       Community involvement has keynoted the Larson' lives. Members of the
     United Methodist Church, both have taught Sunday School classes. Bob serves
     on the church administrative board and spearheaded a successful Layman's
     Visitation. Charlene has served on the Stained Glass Window Committee since
     its inception.
       Both served in 4-H. They directed the Lewis and Clark episode of the
     Peace Treaty Pageants. Both belong to the Chamber of Commerce and Sunflower
     Resources Conservation and Development.
       Bob's memberships include: local, state and national Hereford organizations;
     Kansas Livestock Association; Barber County Extension Council; Sawyer
     Cooperative Board of Directors; Union Equity Advisory Board, Enid Oklahoma;
     Farmers HOme Administration Board. He served as president of several. He
     was instrumental in the planning, promotion and implementation of the first
     rural water district in Barber County.
       Bob was Barber County's "Outstanding Young Farmer" in 1965; he was listed
     in the Jaycees' Who's Who of Young Men in America.
       In 1974 a volunteer group of ranchers hosted a Gyp Hills Trail Ride,
     promoted by the Chamber of Commerce and R.C.&D. One annual trail ride
     became inadequate; an independent project was developed and privately owned
     by Gant-Larson and Bar-& ranches. Each weekend's reservations are limited
     to 250. Tourists from 6 states participate in these trail rides hosted by
     Larsons and Lonkers, 3 successive weekends in May.
       Feature stories in Kansas Farmer, Kansas, Western Horseman and newspapers
     plus television interviews and an audiovisual program with extensive
     circulation have all spotlighted the trail rides and Barber County.
       
      
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 272 
     Submitted by: Charlene Larson