Donald L Larson

Donald (Don) L. Larson of Canon City, CO, age 90, passed away at home, on March 17, 2021, with his family by his side.

Don was born on October 2, 1930, in Erwin, SD, to his parents Cecelia and Henning Larson, in his beloved farmhouse and was the youngest of nine children.  He was named “Donald” but was called “LaVern” and “Sonny” most of his childhood.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Doris Larson of Canon City, CO, his son, Robert (Ranee) Larson of Wichita, KS, two daughters, Rhonda (Brian) Livingston of Aurora, CO and Patty (Mike) Snell of Canon City, CO and daughter-in-law Terry Lichtenberg of Colorado Springs, CO.  He has ten grandchildren, Lauren (Scott) Roteck, Nick (Erica) Garcia, Eric Garcia, Jake Garcia, Cole Garcia, Ryan Snell, Megan (Dino) Belli, Michael Snell, and eight great-grandchildren, Karley and Jacqueline Roteck; Sierra and Sophie Garcia; Denny, Dia and Mika Belli, and Matix Snell.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Roger L. Larson, eight brothers and sisters and their spouses and numerous nieces and nephews. 

At the age of 19, he married the love of his life, 16 year-old Doris Allphin, whom he met when she was 13.  He proposed at a drive-in restaurant with a cigar band and they have been happily married for 70 years.  They lived in Sioux Falls, SD, and soon after the wedding, Don was drafted into the Army and shipped to Korea where he spent 14 months and 14 days.  He served on the front-line as a heavy artillery gunman and Doris wrote to him everyday he was gone and even shipped him homemade goodies. 

Upon his return from the Army, the couple moved to Kansas to start a family. In 1965 they moved to Denver, CO, where Don worked for 16 years as a Heavy Equipment Operator for a water company.  On, Dec 26, 1979, he had a heart attack on the job, which left him disabled to work for the rest of his life.  Six months prior to his heart attack, the couple purchased a Mobile Home Court in Canon City, CO where they decided to move and have resided for 40 years where they are known and loved by many.

Don loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren playing games and teaching them how to shoot the BB gun.  He was an amazing pinochle player and loved Bingo. He had a love for life and God, a sweet spirit and will be missed by many.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, March 25, 2021, at the Evangelical Free Church, 3000 E. Main St, Canon City, CO 81212.  Interment to follow at Lakeside Cemetery.  Services entrusted to Harwood Funeral Home, online condolences & flowers can be sent at Harwoodfunerals.com.

Service will be Livestreamed at       https://iframe.dacast.com/b/156599/c/577943

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