Donus (Don) Wayne Larson passed away June 1, 2024, at home, from complications of prostate cancer, at age 76. Don was born to Loren and Vesta (Johnson) Larson in Worthington, Minnesota,on November 11, 1947. Throughout his childhood, he took joy in having been born on Veterans’ Day, and thus was always off from school to enjoy celebrating his birthday.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the First Lutheran Church in Milford, with a visitation one hour prior on Saturday at the church. A masonic service will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., by the Worthing Masonic Lodge #101 and the Windom Prudence Masonic Lodge #97 assisted by the Twilight Lodge #329 of Spirit Lake and Gloaming Lodge #482 of Milford at the Robinson Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
Don attended Worthington schools until graduating from high school there in 1965. He then attended Worthington Community College (now Minnesota West) for one year before enlisting in the US Army during the Vietnam era. He was assigned to electronics school at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey after “boot camp” in Texas. Don felt fortunate to have been shipped from New Jersey to Camp Darby near Pisa, Italy. There he served in the Stratcom Unit, a communications installation. He served in that capacity until the end of his service in the Army, thus missing duty in Vietnam.
Italy was also where Don met his wife of 54 years, Jan B (Kiefte) Larson. They were engaged by the end of the summer, and married a year later after Don completed his military service in September 1969, in Ridgewood, New Jersey. The couple then settled in Worthington, MN. Don joined his father in the family’s construction business, Larson Crane Service. Don was compelled to retire from the business, in which he partnered with his son Justin (Jay), after sustaining multiple injuries in a motorcycle accident in July 2017.
Don was actively involved in his community throughout his years in Worthington. He was a dedicated member of the Masonic Lodge and the Shriners, through which he supported children’s hospitals, as well as the Elk’s Lodge and American Legion. He also supported many youth activities through his membership in the Jaycees. He helped establish youth soccer, youth hockey and Toys for Tots, among others. He was active at First Lutheran Church, serving as van driver, youth leader, usher and church council member. He volunteered for years serving the public at the Free Pancake Breakfast for Turkey Days. He found deep satisfaction in the comradery of working with friends and neighbors to help make Worthington a great community in which to raise a family. Don was often the first to offer a helping hand to his friends and neighbors.
Don and Jan built their dream home in West Okoboji, Iowa, in 2014. She retired from her career as a counselor at Worthington High School. They moved to Iowa in May 2015, where they enjoyed old and new friends through many activities and travels. Don’s greatest joy was spending time with his sons and his three grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were Don’s parents and his infant son Heath Randall Larson.
Surviving loved ones are his wife Jan, son Justin (Dana) and their children, Aria, Gerret and Kaden; son Nathan (Kathy) and many treasured friends and cousins.
