Mengis Funeral Home

Leslie Larson, beloved father and grandfather, died on May 19, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, LaCrosse, WI, after a recent illness.  He was 78.

Les made his home in Mabel, MN, where he was born, raised and graduated high school.  After graduation, he joined the Army in 1953.  He was a Cryptanalytic Specialist in Germany and Austria during the Korean War. 

After leaving the military, Les began a career as a businessman, working at IBM, in Rochester MN.  Les left IBM to start his own business in Minneapolis, where he travelled internationally.  He later sold his company and started a water well drilling business with two of his brothers, in southeastern Minnesota.  Les was always interested in design and innovation and received two patents for his designs.

Mourning his passing are his children, Pamela Larson of Lanesboro, MN, Daniel Larson (Annie) of San Diego, CA., and John Larson (Linda Esch) of Caledonia, MN; as well as his grandchildren:  Luke Geving of Mabel, MN, Abby Geving-Donald (Ryan) of Ankeny, IA, Mallory Geving-Hadoff (Bryan) of Plymouth, MN, MacKenzie Geving of Mabel, MN and Lydia Geving of Mabel, MN; and great-grandchildren: Jack Gibson and Maggie Ryan Donald; four sisters, Berneice Garness, Helen Beaman, Norma Spitzmiller, Marie Betsinger and two brothers, Leland and Richard. Preceding him in death are his wife, Carole Larson, parents George and Beulah Larson, and one brother, Harold Larson.

In his retirement, Les enjoyed playing cards with friends, reading and the companionship of his cat, Sammy.  He was a member of the Mabel First Lutheran and Post 299 Mabel American Legion Club in Mabel, MN. 

A visitation will be held in memory of Leslie on Sunday, May 22, 2011, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel, Minnesota.  A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 23, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel, Minnesota.  Interment will be in the Riceford Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion.