Dean Allen Larson
November 17, 1939 — August 3, 2024
Dean Allen Larson, 84, of Knoxville, Iowa died peacefully at his home on August 3, 2024. He had been dealing with lung cancer for the last three years. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, uncle, brother, and friend. We will miss him.
Dean was born at his family’s farmhouse in Rothsay, MN on November 17, 1939, the fifth son of Arthur and Navy (Mattsen) Larson. He was united in marriage to Barbara Anne Hought of Foxhome, Minnesota on June 2, 1963. They joyfully celebrated their 60th anniversary with family and friends in 2023. After a short stint in Del Rio, Texas with the Air National Guard, Dean began his 33-year career with 3M in St. Paul, MN. Eventually, Dean and Barbara moved to Hutchinson, MN, and then to Knoxville, IA with 3M.
Dean loved farm life. Growing up, he was an avid member of 4-H and even won Grand Reserve Champion at the Minnesota State Fair with his prized Jersey cow, Pinky. During their years in Hutchinson, the family lived on a small hobby farm. In later years in Knoxville, Dean bought a farm south of town, where he could easily visit when he needed some country air.
The couple was blessed with three children: Naomi; April; and Andrew. Dean was a patient teacher of his children. He spent many hours going over math problems or helping with science fair projects. He was the first call when something went wrong, and always responded with help and support - and maybe a little jab after everything was sorted out. His calm demeanor was especially helpful when teaching his kids – including his granddaughter – how to drive. He jokingly kept track of how many moves he spearheaded in and out of dorms, apartments, and houses, but he was always ready with whatever vehicle, moving blanket, and visual geometry skills to figure out what would fit where.
Having moved 500 miles away from his and Barbara’s original home, Dean spent many late nights driving the family back to Minnesota to visit relatives in the van bought for that reason. He also enjoyed other travel, including trips to Europe, England, Vietnam, Hawaii, and most of the continental U.S. In the last few years, most winters were spent in Texas, with frequent trips to Mexico. Much of the traveling was done with fun-loving relatives from both sides of the family. He was also a lover of Casey’s coffee, and was often seen going in or out of the east side Casey’s in Knoxville. Dean was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and then a charter member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Dean was a good sport and played along with most suggestions from his family. Upon receiving various gifts of festive clothing, he would good-naturedly wear them with a certain nonchalance and panache. In the last few years, he was especially known for wearing festive socks. In honor of Dean’s good nature, please wear festive socks to the events celebrating his life.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Ralph. Those left to honor his memory are his wife, Barbara; daughters Naomi (Chris) Hamlett of West Des Moines, Iowa, and April (Jonathan) Bond of Des Moines, Iowa; son Andrew (Hoan) Larson of West Des Moines, Iowa; five grandchildren, Jack Bond, Owain Bond, Veronica Hamlett, Anne Larson, and Meggi Larson; brothers Arvy Larson, Harold Larson, and Eldon (Tex) Larson, all of Fergus Falls, MN; and many beloved nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or to EveryStep Hospice.
Dean was born at his family’s farmhouse in Rothsay, MN on November 17, 1939, the fifth son of Arthur and Navy (Mattsen) Larson. He was united in marriage to Barbara Anne Hought of Foxhome, Minnesota on June 2, 1963. They joyfully celebrated their 60th anniversary with family and friends in 2023. After a short stint in Del Rio, Texas with the Air National Guard, Dean began his 33-year career with 3M in St. Paul, MN. Eventually, Dean and Barbara moved to Hutchinson, MN, and then to Knoxville, IA with 3M.
Dean loved farm life. Growing up, he was an avid member of 4-H and even won Grand Reserve Champion at the Minnesota State Fair with his prized Jersey cow, Pinky. During their years in Hutchinson, the family lived on a small hobby farm. In later years in Knoxville, Dean bought a farm south of town, where he could easily visit when he needed some country air.
The couple was blessed with three children: Naomi; April; and Andrew. Dean was a patient teacher of his children. He spent many hours going over math problems or helping with science fair projects. He was the first call when something went wrong, and always responded with help and support - and maybe a little jab after everything was sorted out. His calm demeanor was especially helpful when teaching his kids – including his granddaughter – how to drive. He jokingly kept track of how many moves he spearheaded in and out of dorms, apartments, and houses, but he was always ready with whatever vehicle, moving blanket, and visual geometry skills to figure out what would fit where.
Having moved 500 miles away from his and Barbara’s original home, Dean spent many late nights driving the family back to Minnesota to visit relatives in the van bought for that reason. He also enjoyed other travel, including trips to Europe, England, Vietnam, Hawaii, and most of the continental U.S. In the last few years, most winters were spent in Texas, with frequent trips to Mexico. Much of the traveling was done with fun-loving relatives from both sides of the family. He was also a lover of Casey’s coffee, and was often seen going in or out of the east side Casey’s in Knoxville. Dean was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and then a charter member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Dean was a good sport and played along with most suggestions from his family. Upon receiving various gifts of festive clothing, he would good-naturedly wear them with a certain nonchalance and panache. In the last few years, he was especially known for wearing festive socks. In honor of Dean’s good nature, please wear festive socks to the events celebrating his life.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Ralph. Those left to honor his memory are his wife, Barbara; daughters Naomi (Chris) Hamlett of West Des Moines, Iowa, and April (Jonathan) Bond of Des Moines, Iowa; son Andrew (Hoan) Larson of West Des Moines, Iowa; five grandchildren, Jack Bond, Owain Bond, Veronica Hamlett, Anne Larson, and Meggi Larson; brothers Arvy Larson, Harold Larson, and Eldon (Tex) Larson, all of Fergus Falls, MN; and many beloved nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or to EveryStep Hospice.
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