Richard Larson

Richard “Dick” E. Larson, age 82, a resident of Grantsburg passed away at his residence on Sunday, March 5, 2017 after his extended battle with pancreatic cancer. Dick was born on July 7, 1934 in St. Croix Falls to the late Henning and Rowena (Edgell) Larson. He lived most of his life in St. Croix Falls, he owned and operated Larson Seed and Fertilizer for over 20 years. Dick was always very involved. He was a member of the Agricultural Advisory Board, Advisory Committee for the Spooner UW Ext. Station, Chairman of the Polk Co. Farm Service Office, WI. Crop Improvement Assoc., Polk Co. Chairman of Vegetable Marketing Assoc., WI. Delegate Nat. Marketing Assoc., Polk Co. Delegate to the WI Conservation Congress; served on the Environment and Migratory Committees, board member of the Friends of Crex, lifetime member of Balsam Lake Rod and Gun Club, Burnett Co. Deer Advisory Committee Member, President of Polk Co. Sportsman Club, member of Wildlife Feeding and Event Committees, delegate to Russia for the U.S. People to People Program, charter member of Citizens Against Government Waste, major benefactor of Mayo Clinic, board of directors for the First National Bank of SCF, chairman of the township of St. Croix Falls, and member of the board and zoning committee of the St. Croix Falls Township. Dick moved to Grantsburg from St. Croix Falls. He designed and built from scratch his log home. Many friends helped with this project. While in Grantsburg, he continued to farm, just on a smaller scale. A favorite crop to grow and share was sweet corn. He also enjoyed making maple syrup, a skill he learned at a young age. He continued to hunt out west and locally, as long as his health would allow. Dick was an advocate for the local wildlife and had a passion for the “proper” management of Crex Meadows and the wildlife it serves. His vast assortment of stories and jokes will be missed. He is preceded in death by his parents; and former wife, Virginia M. Larson. He is survived by his children: Elizabeth (Ken) Manthey, Mary Louise (Brock) Bentson; grandchildren: Emily Manthey, Rachel Manthey, Peter Bentson, and Kathleen Bentson; his great-grandchildren, Kayla Craig and Trey Davis; also survived by his nephew, Steven Lillestrand; niece, Susan Lillestrand-Akins; former sister-in-law, Dorothy Lillestrand; and cousins, other family and friends. A Visitation will be held Friday, March 10, 2017 from 5-8 PM at the Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg Chapel. A Funeral Service will held for Dick on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 11:00 AM (visitation 10-11 AM) at Central United Methodist Church in Grantsburg, with Pastors Ran Yoo and Kookho Kim officiating. A spring interment will be held at St. Croix Cemetery. A heartfelt appreciation to St. Croix Regional Hospice for their care and support. Special gratitude to the Fabulous Five who walked with Dick thru his journey. Memorials are preferred to the family to be used for conservation in his memory. Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg. Online condolences can be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com