Richard L. Larson

RICHARD LEWIS LARSON

December 19, 1938-February 11, 2025

Richard Lewis Larson, born Dec. 19, 1938, in Duluth, Minn., passed away from complications of dementia Feb. 11, 2025 in Sun Prairie, Wis. He was 86 years old. 

Richard was the youngest of three children of Rev. Elmer G. Larson and Luella Larson. He was raised in Ada, Minn., where his father pastored for many years at what is today Grace Lutheran Church. He was involved with Boy Scouts of America as a youth, and was a scoutmaster for Webelos and Boy Scouts as his children grew up.

 Richard is remembered first and foremost for his gregarious personality. He could strike up a conversation with anybody, which helped him in his lengthy career as a salesman. Most of his sales career was spent in the manufactured home industry in Owatonna, Minn., the greater Milwaukee area and in Beloit, Wis. He frequently was the top salesman at whatever firm he worked at. After moving to Beloit, Richard purchased rental properties and was a landlord and a handyman. He was active in various churches in Beloit. He was the board president for Caritas Food Pantry in Beloit in 2009, and volunteered for the Stateline Literacy Council in Beloit, and a food pantry in Madison. 

Richard loved classical music, in particular compositions by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and attended many Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concerts. He also loved singing, was active in church choirs, and performed with the Bel Canto Chorus and the Janesville Choral Union. In Beloit he conducted a handbell choir for a number of years, which he considered one of the highlights of his life. 

Richard married Sandra Kay Gossett in 1963 in St. Paul, Minn. They had three sons together — Vaughn, James and Gregory. 

Richard married his second wife, Jackie Reilly in 1991 in Beloit. 

Richard is survived by his son Vaughn and his wife Wendy, son James, son Gregory and wife Jennifer, his sister Alice Hagen of Blackduck, Minn., and brother Paul and his wife Barbara of Grand Forks, N.D., and many nieces, nephews and grandchildren. 

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday March 1, 2025, at Harvest Church, 5008 Linde Lane, Suite 300, DeForest, Wis. 53532. A memorial service is planned for later this year in Ada, Minn. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Caritas Food Pantry in Beloit, Wis., or to the Alzheimer's Association. 

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie

(608) 837-9054

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com