Obituary of Donald M. Larson

He spent his early years in Wahoo, Neb., and moved with Dr. Donald M. Larson, age 88, of Duluth, died peacefully at home with his loving family surrounding him on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014. Donald was born on May 18, 1926 in Warren, Minn., to Anna (Sundahl) and Marvin Larson. his family to Berkeley, Calif., during the war years, graduating at the top of his class from Berkley High. He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., with a BA in Chemistry, and the University of Minnesota Medical School with honors. Following service in the Navy during World War II and as an Army Battalion Surgeon in the Korean War, in April of 1953 he met Leona Graepp in Sheridan, Wyo., where she was teaching. Marrying in September 1953 in Fargo, N.D., they began a lifetime of adventures together. After one year of family practice in Fergus Falls, Minn., Don was in residency in Pathology at the Minneapolis VA. Sons Rolf, Randy, and daughter Linnea joined the family. After residency, the family moved to Duluth, the jewel of the North Shore, birthplace of youngest son, Jonathan, and where the family came to know and love as home. A journey to Vellore, India in 1967 offered an unprecedented paradigm shift in the world view of the family. Don volunteered at the Christian Medical College for three months, developed a taste for curry, and fed his ever-evolving curiosity about the wider world. Back in Duluth, more time was spent on the water when Don got the boat bug and trained his family in as "the crew." Many sailing stories and tall tales of adventure on the lake are still told. Throughout his career, Don worked at St. Mary's and St. Luke's hospitals and was part of the launch of the Medical School at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he taught Pathology and retired as Assistant Professor Emeritus. As children left the nest, Don and Leona's quest for adventure grew once more. They traversed the globe on numerous occasions, with Don sharing his gift and love of teaching in Vellore, India once again and in Oki-nawa, Japan. By backpack they traveled and made friends from Poland to Sweden to Sri Lanka and beyond. Don was a true Renaissance man, always learning skills and honing his analytical mind. From cutting and polishing rocks, to knitting scarves and sweaters, sewing clothes, building a house, Scandinavian needle-work, wood carving, music - always music! - sculpting, painting and gardening, Don expressed his love and wonder of the world. Don had a wonderful sense of faith in God, and a sure trust that he and each of us are created through mystery by the Divine. Engaged in the life of First Lutheran Church, Don sang in the choir, served as congregation president, and enjoyed lifetime friendships deepened through fellowship and faith. Don had a wacky sense of humor and loved to tease; he loved to talk more than he loved to listen, but always had much to discuss. He loved deeply and well - not only Leona and his family, but the world itself. Don lived life to the brim and overflowing. We miss him deeply and celebrate with joy the time we had together. Preceded in death by his parents Anna and Marvin. Don is survived by his wife Leona (Greapp); his sister Patricia (Larson) Lind; son Rolf (Celeste), son Randy (Cynthia Lapp), his children James, Andrew, Jesse, Laura and their mother Maureen; daughter Linnea Papke-Larson (Mark), their children Emily (Emily Powers), Andrew and Alicia; son Jonathan (Natalie), their children Annalise and Peter, and beloved nieces and nephews, friends, colleagues and students. SERVICE: 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2015 in First Lutheran Church in Duluth with visitation an hour before the service and lunch following.In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting gifts to the UMD Medical School Scholarship Fund in memory of Dr. Donald Larson. Contact Dr. James Boulger, School of Medicine 113, 1035 University Dr., Duluth, MN 55812 Arrangements made by The Cremation Society of Minnesota, Duluth.