Russell Larson

Funeral services for Russell Larson, of Chokio, Minnesota, will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with a visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chokio. Father John Paul Knopik will be celebrating the mass and burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Chokio.  

Russell Clarence Larson was born on February 4, 1938, in Virginia, Minnesota, one of three sons born to George and Grace (Maki) Larson.  He lived in Meadowlands on their family dairy farm.  The northern woods of Minnesota provided a wonderful playground for Russell and his brothers.  On one of their adventures, Floyd, the eldest, pretended that he was going to throw Russell into the Whiteface River.  While Russell didn’t end up in the river, one of his shoes did.  Given the economic climate of the time, losing a shoe, especially while goofing off, was sure to not end well for the boys.  As they often did, they took their scolding from their mother and let her tell their father Russell needed a new pair of shoes.

 Russell moved with his family to Alberta, Minnesota, where he continued his education as ‘the new kid.’  While in school, Russell became smitten with a local gal, Madonna Foley; the two dated all through school, both graduating from Alberta High School in 1956.  They were married on November 14, 1956, at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris.  They made their home on Russell’s parents’ farmstead and started their family, welcoming two daughters.  They moved to a farm south of Chokio in the winter of 1959, and added three more daughters and two sons to the family – all within ten years!   Russell spent his working years on the farm, with the help of Donna and their children.  Russell was passionate about farming and proud of what he accomplished.  It was important to him to leave a legacy for his children.  In 2010, Russell and Donna moved off of the farm and into Chokio.   Donna preceded Russell in death in August of 2021, Russell continued to live in Chokio until the time of his passing.   

For many years, Russell enjoyed cutting out wood projects for the St. Mary’s Craft Group.  Russell also enjoyed golfing, working in his shop, watching Westerns and World War II movies and playing cards and games with his family.

Russell died unexpectedly while visiting family in the cities on Wednesday, February 14, 2024; he was 86 years old.

He is survived by his daughters: Elizabeth (Mike) Groff of Forest Lake, Sheryl Larson of Excelsior, Marcia (Todd) Friesen of Minneapolis, Lori (Randy) Lorenz of Minnetonka and Lisa (Leigh Middag) Larson of Savage; his sons: Gregg Larson of Zimmerman and Kurt (Lisa) Larson of Alexandria; his grandchildren: Jason (Nashawn) Groff of White Bear Lake, Tony (Stephanie) Groff of Forrest Lake, Tamara (Clay) Masters of Des Moines, IA,  Blake Friesen of Chanhassen, Raechel Friesen of Nashville, TN, Meghan (Ben) Sjoberg of Rosemount, McKenna (John Kerr) Lorenz of Eden Prairie, Sophie Middag of Savage, Evan Middag of Savage, Jenna (Dereck) Buss of Champlin, Marisa (Dillon) Dickey of Glenwood, and Reed Larson of Ann Arbor, MI; great-grandchildren: Ciel, Theodore, Elijah, Averi, and Alia Groff, Eric Groff, Madeline and Robert Masters, Jaxon Friesen, and Aspen Buss; brother, Maynard Larson of Alberta; and sister-in-law, Lorrie Larson of Alberta.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Donna; two grandchildren: Eric Groff and Laura Groff; parents, George and Grace Larson; and one brother, Floyd Larson.

 Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of arrangements for Russell.