Larsen Drug Welcomes New Pharmacists

As we get older, many of us wonder what kind of influence we'll have on generations after us. In the case of John O. Larsen, and Larsen Service Drug, his decision to become a pharmacist and to move to Watford City and open Larsen Service Drug in 1952, would set a course for four future members of his family. His two sons, and two granddaughters would all choose to follow in his footsteps and become pharmacists. John would get to enjoy running the family business with his son, Larry, for many years, and, even though he would pass on, John's passion for his profession and love of his store and his customers would have a profound impact on his granddaughter, Jenna.

Jenna grew up dreaming of becoming a pharmacist like her dad and grandpa and being part of the family pharmacy. From serving ice cream at the soda fountain, to restocking the beanie baby rack, to going to the Minneapolis gift market with her mom, Jenna grew up experiencing and loving everything about the drugstore.  This summer, Jenna's dream finally came true.  She graduated from NDSU with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, passed her boards, and finally joined her dad at the family pharmacy her grandpa had started so many years before.

Those years Jenna was dreaming of joining the family business were quiet years in western ND. Larry and Debbie wondered whether it would even be feasible for Jenna to come back.  Would there be enough business to support two full-time pharmacists? Then, while Jenna was away at college, the oil boom hit.  Day by day, as more and more people came to town, Larry and Debbie realized that, yes, they would have a job for Jenna, and, they began to think that they might actually have a job for another pharmacist as well.

Jenna's sister, Michelle, had already established her pharmacy career as a hospital pharmacist in Bismarck. Where to find that other pharmacist? Jenna's best friend at pharmacy school, Kelsey Hesch, had been a bridesmaid in Jenna's wedding to Sheldon Wahlstrom, of Alexander, ND, in 2009.  As fate would have it, Kelsey walked down the aisle, accompanied by groomsman, Erik Linseth of Keene.   Fast forward to the summer of  2013, when Kelsey would get her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree, pass her pharmacy boards, move to Watford City, and walk down the aisle with Erik again, as they would become Mr. and Mrs. Erik and Kelsey Linseth. Kelsey was the perfect choice to be that one more pharmacist Larsens needed. So the pharmacy team became complete.

Sixty-one years since 1952, Larsen Service Drug has grown to include two locations, serving Watford City and McKenzie County, and New Town and the surrounding area. From the original support staff of 1 ½ employees, Larsen's now provides jobs for not only the three full time pharmacists, but 16 support staff as well, and they all live by John's original philosophy focusing on service, and treating customers like family. That is a legacy that Larry and Debbie like to think John O. Larsen would be really proud of, and one that, they hope, will become their legacy as well.