Gary William Larsen

Funeral services for Gary W. Larsen, age 71, of Milaca, will be held Friday, May 02, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Milaca Evangelical Free Church with Rev. Dan Clausen and Rev. Mike Johnson officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 01, 2014 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the church and also one hour prior to services.  Interment will take place at Borgholm Cemetery near Bock. Gary William Larsen was born April 25, 1943 to Hans and Grace (Starkweather) Larsen at home in Hayland Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota.  He graduated from Milaca High School in 1961.  He attended Northwest Technical Institute after high school and earned a degree in mechanical drafting and design.  He went to work as a draftsman at Electric Machinery in Mpls. He served in the United States Army for two years. He then returned to Electric Machinery, where he met Janet. On September 14, 1968 he was united in marriage to Janet Mae Erickson.  They lived in the Blaine area until moving to Milaca in 1973. Gary worked at Smith Systems in Princeton as a mechanical engineer and engineering manager until 1992. He later worked from home for Winsted Corporation until retirement. In his retirement years, he spent time enjoying the outdoors, cutting wood, hunting with family, fixing vehicles, and helping anyone in need.  With his grandchildren, he gave tractor rides, mowed lawn, taught them to hunt, attended special events, and had special grandfather time with them. He passed away Sunday, April 27, 2014 at the Milaca Elim Home after a short battle with cancer.  Gary is survived by his wife, Janet; children, Todd (Tracy) Larsen of Milaca and Karleen (Scott) Black of Milaca; six grandchildren, Claire, Nick, and Abby Larsen, Leyton, Tanyon, and Kydon Black; sister, Elaine Sanderson of Milaca; brothers, Mel Larsen of Milaca, Gene (Annabelle) Larsen of Mississippi, Jim Larsen of Monument, Colorado, and Ralph (Cheryl) Larsen of Milaca; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Levi, Laurence, Hans Jr., Vernon, John, Donald ”Dean”, Marvin, Paul, and Ray; sisters, Sophie Johnson, Wilma Anderson, Pearl Broberg, and Karen Radke.