Breathtaking: Sunderman Agent Cherishes a Second Chance at Life
“What’s your life worth?”
It’s a surprising question to hear a farmer ask in the midst of harvest. It’s never far from Jon Larson’s mind, though, especially since he received a double lung transplant four years ago.
“A simple thank you for the gift of life isn’t enough,” said Jon, 78, a real estate sales representative with the Sunderman Farm Management team since 1999.
A Trusted Sunderman Agent Faces a Serious Diagnosis
When he was in his early 70s, Jon had been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. As this chronic, progressive lung disease worsened, breathing became a huge challenge for Jon, even with an oxygen tank. “My lungs were deteriorating, and things were going downhill fast.”
Still, doctors weren’t convinced Jon was a good candidate for a transplant, due to his age (74) and his fairly rare blood type. “They hadn’t done a double lung transplant on anyone older than 70,” Jon noted.
The Call That Changed Everything
Then came May 15, 2022. Jon received a letter from the Mayo Clinic saying he’d been approved for the lung transplant.
Six weeks later, as he was filling up with fuel in Badger, Iowa, a 507 area code rang into his cell phone. “Would you like to have a new set of lungs tonight?” asked the caller in Minnesota. “Can you be at Mayo within four hours?”
Farming, Faith, and Miracles
Jon underwent the 14-hour surgery, making him the 193rd double-lung transplant recipient at the Mayo Clinic since 1990. “I knew there was a possibility I might not live through the surgery,” Jon acknowledged.
The miracles continued, though. “Faith got us through,” said Irlene Larson, who has been married to Jon for 56 years. “We had a wonderful prayer support group that went to 23 states and included thousands of people.”
The Larsons had to stay close to Mayo Clinic for three months following the transplant. “All this is extremely difficult on the family,” said Jon, who is grateful for the support from Irlene, their four grown children (Amy, Angie, Christy, and Jeremy), the kids’ spouses, and the grandchildren.
Jon had to re-learn how to walk with the help of “Wally the walker.” He also had to return to Mayo 28 times that summer, due to some complications. “They basically have to destroy your immune system to make the transplant work,” said Jon, who suffered a fungal infection during those days when COVID-19 was also a serious risk.
‘The Best Therapy I Could Have Had’
Jon credits the skilled medical team, support from family and friends, and old-fashioned grit for his successful recovery. “God was with us every step of the way,” he emphasized.
Five days after returning home, Jon climbed into the tractor cab and ran the grain catch cart during harvest 2022. “It was the best therapy I could have had.”
Today, phrases like “take your breath away” and “a breath of fresh air” aren’t just words to Jon. They’re life itself. “It’s a privilege to get up and go to work every day. We have so many blessings around us. We just have to see them.”
Caring for Our People and Our Community
At Sunderman Farm Management, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Since 1961, our Fort Dodge team has built long-term, often multi-generational relationships with farm families across Iowa. Jon has been a trusted part of that story for more than 25 years, and we’re grateful to have him back doing the work he loves.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling farmland, our land sales team is here to help. Let’s Talk.