Gerald Larsen

Gerald Hovmand Larsen, 82, of Frederic, Wisc. died on Friday, September 27, 2013. He passed peacefully surrounded by family at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn. Gerald (Jerry) was born April 28, 1931 in Superior, Wisc., to Louie P. and Ida A. (Marohn) Larsen. After graduating from Superior High School in 1948 he enrolled at Superior State University to study architecture. After a year he decided he would rather be an artist, and enrolled in the St. Paul School of Associated Arts (College of Visual Arts). There he met Mary Ann Fruvog, who became his girlfriend. His studies were interrupted by the Korean War. He was activated from the Air Guard into the Air Force. First stationed at Duluth, he was transferred to Kansas City where he served as an Air Force artist. After the war he completed art school and in 1954 married his sweetheart. They made their home in Arden Hills, Minn. and started a family. Jerry's career began with three years in the Art Department of the 3M Corp. After a few years at Campbell-Mithun he started his own business as an Advertising Art Director working for many of the major advertising agencies in the Twin Cities until he retired. Jerry also painted fine art and wildlife and entered many of the Wisconsin game stamp competitions, including a near win for the very first turkey stamp. Jerry was an avid reader and was fascinated by science fiction. He also enjoyed sports. During High School he boxed with a local athletic club. Jerry enjoyed swimming and baseball. He raced stock cars at the track in Superior. He was a tournament ranked hand ball player. He also enjoyed waterfowl hunting and fishing. He often quoted Hemingway's "Heaven is a trout stream". In 1961 Jerry bought a cabin on Yellow Lake in Webster, Wisc. where the family enjoyed many summers. In 1968 he purchased a neighboring cabin and moved the family there in 1971. He enjoyed following his children's sports and helped with the Webster Cross Country team. Jerry played the trumpet with the Exec's, which was a big band in the Twin Cities. The band provided him the opportunity to play many places, including river boats, Madden's on Gull Lake, and Durango. His most cherished trip was the band's tour of Norway. He played with the band for thirty years. After retirement, Jerry took golf seriously, playing twice a day at Yellow Lake as well as many northland courses with senior golf tournaments. In 2009 Jerry sold his home on Yellow Lake and moved to Frederic. He was able to live at home the rest of his life. Jerry is remembered as an intelligent, creative, kind man. He will be missed by all of the people whose lives he touched. Survivors include his wife Mary Ann, son Kris (Holly)Larsen, daughters Siiri (John) Larkin, Brenda Gellis, and Karin LaCasse, grandchildren Torben, Bjorn, Erik, Senja, Lydia, Brittany (Chris), and Dane, great grandchild Roman, and niece Suzie. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Ila Mae and Delores, half-brother James Fielding, and niece Sherry. Memorial service will be held at Yellow Lake Lutheran Church on Tuesday, October 8 2013 at 11:00am (10-11 visitation) Arrangements entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster WI.