John Larson

John Martin Larson, age 61, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Agrace Hospice. John was born in Peru, Illinois on July 28, 1959 to Joseph and Albena (Pleszczynski) Larson. He grew up in Wausau, Wisconsin, and graduated from Wausau West High School in 1977. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he received his bachelor of science degree in agricultural journalism in 1981. Although they started their relationship in Wausau as just “tennis buddies” in their late teens, John married Tammy Schmieden May 29, 1993 in Madison, Wisconsin, and later had two wonderful daughters, Taylor and Jordan.

John began his career at Johnson Hill Press in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. He then moved to Milwaukee and later to Minneapolis to continue his career in sales, marketing, publishing, trade show production, and business management. He was a lifelong learner and considered every career experience an opportunity to learn something new. He eventually went on to start his own business, Dialog Marketing Services, Inc. His vision, as well as his insight and ability to dissect a concept or problem and manage it, enabled him to be successfully self-employed. He provided business, sales, marketing, communications, website and search engine optimization consulting services to a variety of clients for more than 30 years.

John had many interests including history, politics, most sports – especially skiing and golf – attending his daughters’ sporting events and activities, traveling and long country drives, but he will be long remembered for the connection he could instantly make with anyone he met. John was open to any conversation, whether it be with friends, family, clients, acquaintances, or anyone who just wanted to chat.

John will be remembered for his humor, quick wit, and ability to make others laugh. He always made an effort to make people feel comfortable, welcomed and important. He was humble and believed in and practiced both self-reliance and generosity.  He was a great husband and an amazing dad to his daughters. His family was his pride and joy and he told that to all who would listen.

John is survived by his wife Tammy Schmieden, daughters Taylor and Jordan Larson; dog Misty; siblings Joseph Larson (MaryJo), Sharon Larson (Greg Dorner), Mary Larson, and niece Anna Larson. John will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A visitation and service will be held at Cress Funeral Home in Sun Prairie on June 5, 2021. A celebration of John’s life will be held at the family's home following the service. All who knew and loved John are invited to attend.

John’s funeral service will also be livestreamed on the Cress Funeral Home site at 1:00 pm Saturday, June 5th. To view the service, please use the following link. https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=97348897-e126-4762-b01e-090c5270e830

John’s daughters are asking all friends and family  to consider recording memories and stories about John, how they knew him, how they met, how they remember him, experiences they shared with him, etc. through the following link https://reflect.oneday.com/c/y5wiJmf03B

John’s family would like to thank the staff at UW Hospital, Carbone Cancer Center and Agrace Hospice for the care and compassion given to John through his battle with non-hodgkins lymphoma. As cancer has touched so many, in lieu of flowers the family asks all to consider a donation to the UW Carbone Cancer Center for Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma research through the following links.

For Internet Explorer please use: http://www.supportuw.org/giveto/JohnLarsonMemorial

For Google Chrome please use: https://secure.supportuw.org/give/?id=0424f713-646f-42f9-9c05-c6535723d1de&tribute=memory&tributename=John%20Larson