Teddy Leon Larsen was born June 19, 1933 in Knoxville, Iowa the son of James Alfred and Estelle (Gosnell) Larsen.
Ted graduated from Knoxville High School with the Class of 1951. He worked at Maytag for a brief time, before entering the United States Army. Ted served two years and was stationed in Germany. Following his honorable discharge, Ted returned to Knoxville and his job with Maytag. On July 18, 1958 he was united in marriage to Elaine Krueger in North Dakota. The couple made their home in Knoxville and would eventually be blessed with six children. In 1992 Ted retired from plant 2 at Maytag after 40 years of service.
In his spare time, Ted enjoyed attending the sprint car races in Knoxville. He also loved music, and he and Elaine made several trips to Branson and personally met many of the performers. One of his great joys was his son Ted’s antique beer can business. The two would talk daily about the business and they made many trips together buying and selling cans. His greatest love, however was his family and he truly cherished his wife, children and grandchildren.
Ted passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at the Knoxville Area Community Hospital at the age of 81 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Merle.
Those left to honor Ted’s memory include his wife, Elaine; children and their families: Michelle Larsen and her son Justin of Knoxville; Ted Larsen of West Des Moines; Kimberly Larsen Rodriguez (Gary) and their children, Haley and Connor of Austin, Texas; Tim Larsen (Justine) and their children, Alex, Caleb, Braden, Jamison and Olivia of Treynor, Iowa; Kerrie Larsen Natiez (Pascal) and their children, Claire, Louis and Amelia of Taylors, South Carolina and Melanie Larsen Alleman (Michael) and their children, Benjamin, Emily, Hannah, Caitlin and Callen of Ankeny, Iowa; sister, Ellen Moon of Newton and many other family members and friends.
Graveside Funeral Service
Graceland Cemetery – Knoxville, Iowa
Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
Pastor Jim Mead, officiating
Casket Bearers
Steve Glick Chris Nichols
Justin Larsen Alex Larsen
Caleb Larsen Michael Alleman
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Theater Foundation.
The family invites relatives and friends to the New Covenant Church for refreshments following the graveside service.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Bybee & Davis Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Teddy Leon Larsen, please visit our flower store.