Robert Alan Larsen, 17 Oct 1943 – 24 Sep 2010

LARSEN, MCMAHON, MOFFATT, KUCHL, GORMAN, GRACE, DEAN

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 3/31/2011 at 16:20:08

Funeral services for the Rev. Robert “Bob” Larsen, 66, Arnolds Park, were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, at St. Cecelia Catholic Church, Algona. He died Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, at the Kossuth Regional Health Center, Algona.

Interment was in Calvary Cemetery, Algona.

The Rev. Robert Alan Larsen was born Oct. 17, 1943, in Clinton, the son of Melvin and Bernadine (McMahon) Larsen. He grew up and attended school in DeWitt, graduating from DeWitt Central High School in 1962. He attended St. Ambrose University, Davenport.

He married Lorri Moffatt Aug. 21, 1965, at St. Paul the Apostle Church, Davenport. After their marriage, they lived in Davenport while he was finishing college. He graduated from St. Ambrose University with a bachelor of arts degree in 1968.

He began his 42-year teaching and coaching career at Mater Dei High School, Breese, Ill., then came to Williamsburg for seven years before going to Mater Dei High School in Clinton. He then moved on to Davenport Assumption, Carroll Kuemper, Iowa City Regina and Cornell College for a year before settling at Bishop Garrigan High School, Algona, for the last 12 years. He loved to be around kids, not only on the playing fields but in the classroom.

He was ordained into the Permanent Diaconate June 2, 1984, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport, by Bishop Gerald O’Keefe. At the same time he was studying for the Diaconate, he also achieved his masters degree in athletic administration from the University of Iowa. His diaconate life and the church were as big a part of who he was as the teaching and coaching.

He loved spending time with his grandchildren, football, fishing, working on his new home in Arnolds Park, spending time on the boat, doing yard work and listening to music.

He was a member of St. Cecelia Parish and the Algona Knights of Columbus 952 and the Fourth Degree Monsignor P.P. Gearen Assembly 2610.

Larsen is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lorri Larsen; his children and their spouses, Shari and Mark Kuchl, Lena, Ill.; Shawn Larsen, Minneapolis, Minn.; Sarah and John Gorman, New Hampton, and Scott and Ellie Larsen, Algona; seven grandchildren, KayLee, Ian, Elizabeth, Lily, Luke, Tristin and Devin; brothers and sisters, Harold Larsen, Oceanside, Calif.; Mel Jr. and Liz Larsen, Birmingham, Mich.; Margaret and Tom Grace, Wheaton, Ill., and Jeannie and Tom Dean, DeWitt, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune, Williamsburg Iowa, 07 Oct 2010, pg 9