Charles E. Larson

Charlie Larson was born December 20, 1937 in rural Lake Park to Jentoft and Lillian Olson Larson. Charlie spent most of his life as a resident of Lake Park. He moved with his family to Vanport, Oregon briefly, but returned to Minnesota to graduate from high school in Lake Park.

After graduating from high school, Charlie enlisted in the Navy. He reported for his physical and was sent home to await orders. He wasn’t called up until after his second child was born, but was then honorably dismissed because of his family status. His joke with his family was that he was sent back to guard the Turtle Lake Combat Base as a Top Secret Weapon.

Charlie met his lifelong partner, friend and wife, Bernie Bernadette Aberle Larson and they married in June of 1962 in a quiet ceremony in Lake Park. They lived all their married life in Lake Park.
Charlie worked as an apprentice plumber at Gibb & Son’s, painted homes with Peter Garron, for MNDOT on the bridge maintenance crew, and then painted homes and finished cabinets and woodwork for the remainder of his working life. In 2005, Charlie and Bernie moved to town leaving their country home and big garden behind.

Charlie is survived by his best friend and wife Bernie Larson of Lake Park; 4 children, Steven Larson of Detroit Lakes, Keith Julie Larson of Elizabeth, Colorado, Sheila Bergquist of Detroit Lakes, and Kevin Tracy Larson of Detroit Lakes; 8 grandchildren, Brittni & Sadie Larson, Kellon Gomon, Krista Hamilton, Justin & Ashley Bergquist, and Nick & Katie Larson.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jentoft & Lillian Larson; 3 brothers Buddy, Abbie and Ernie; 2 sisters Alice and Leona; and one grandson Chris Gomon.

Charlie loved his family, especially in the later years as the grandkids came along. He loved to tease, and was well known for that talent. His family will miss him dearly.