Gary Dean Larsen

Last winter on December 15, 2025 our dear friend, Gary Dean Larsen unexpectedly lost his battle with his recurring health issues. At the age of 83 he went home to be with the Lord. No more pain and suffering for he is at peace and singing and dancing with the Lord’s choir. No words can express the sadness in our hearts, but also the joy for Gary to be free from heartache.

Gary was born July 24, 1942 and was a lifelong resident of Duluth, Minnesota. He graduated from Denfeld High School and went to the cities to further his education in business.

Gary came back to Duluth to help his mother in her printing business, but he was hired by Minnesota Power which became his lifelong profession for 30+ years. Gary was known for his detail, precision and accuracy in his accounting and in the inventory supplies for Minnesota Power. When he retired, he continued to use his accounting skills by being involved in the Minnesota Power Retiree Board as treasurer. Also, he was treasurer for his home church, Zion Lutheran and Spirit of God Lutheran church until his health issues made it difficult to do any more.

Gary was a quiet, reserved fellow and had somewhat of a hard life, but you knew when he felt comfortable in your presence and trusted you as a friend. For then you would find out what a witty humorous fellow he really was.

Gary built his life around singing and loving music. His parents all sang and played instruments, especially known for organizing and playing in a Harmonica Band for years out West.

Gary sang in his home church choirs, in a contemporary music group called Joyful Noiz, (Zion spelled backwards), and in the Sons of Norway, and the West Duluth American Legion for years.

Gary worked hard at perfecting his wonderful Tenor voice which complimented all the groups he sang with.

He particularly loved his involvement in so many years with his favorite musical group, “The Downbeats”. Besides singing, he could kick up his heels and add dancing and rhythm to his singing. Gary continued to sing until his death. He was a part of the singing group at Edgewood Vista for the couple of years he was there. The day Gary died was the day before Edgewood would put on their concert. Knowing Gary, he hated to miss any performance.

Gary’s other love was going to the UMD hockey games which he went to and traveled to some of the championship games, especially since the 80’s. He belonged to a small group that were called “Standing Room Only Rowdies” (SRO Rowdies), however, Gary was our Upper Crust Rowdy because he watched from his chair in the arena.

Gary loved to travel out West to Arizona & California to see his parents and also to Florida to visit a cousin, but, in the 80’s & 90’s he was able to travel to Australia for the World’s Fair & to Brazil with his friends on a scuba diving group. However, Gary went for the adventure but stayed on land. Later in his life he had a seasonal camper that he visited down in Sturgeon Lake.

Gary is survived by many, many dear friends who will miss him tremendously. Gary is also survived by his sister-in-law, Jackie, 3 nephews, Josh, Jeremiah (Katie) and Jake (Sara), 2 great nieces, Brielle & Brenna, and great nephew, Henry.

Honor and memory of Gary Larsen, there will be an informal gathering of family and friends at Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home, 3208 West 3rd Street, Duluth, MN in Lincoln Park. Gary’s celebration of life will be Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. with a time of sharing at 2 p.m. It will be a time to socialize with friends and share stories and memorable times that each shared with Gary throughout the years.