Kevin W. Larson

1968 - 2025

Kevin W. Larson
Born: April 24, 1968
Died: September 28, 2025
Kevin W. Larson, 57, of DeKalb Illinois, formerly of Palatine, died Sunday, September 28, 2025, peacefully in his sleep after spending what was described as "the best day of his life" watching the Fighting Illini football team win.
Kevin was an outspoken and sometimes misunderstood person who had the biggest heart. "The Family" meant everything to him. To Kevin, the word "family" was not about blood relatives, but rather about all those who meant a lot to him, and many did. He would help anyone he could, and if he couldn't he often would tell you he's "got a guy" who could help you. He held himself and those around him to a high standard of doing for others.
Kevin had many roles in life including son, brother, uncle, friend, teacher, coach and "THE" Godfather and he loved every one of them. Kevin was a teacher at Kaneland High School for almost 20 years and taught at West Aurora prior to that. Kevin also coached volleyball at Palatine High School, Indian Creek, Malta, West Aurora and Kaneland High Schools. Kevin began his career in education as a para professional at Palatine High School working with students with the most profound intellectual disabilities and this inspired him to go to college in his late 20's to earn his Bachelors in Special Education at Northern Illinois University.
Kevin could be hard on himself and often used his self-deprecating humor and sarcasm to make others laugh by being the butt of his own jokes. But Kevin was much sharper than he gave himself credit for. He was proud of the accomplishments of those in his life and downplayed his own which included earning a Graduate Degree (and Masters) at Aurora University and would often remind his siblings and other relatives who went there that he was the only Larson with a 4.0 GPA while doing so. He spent his career encouraging success in those with educational challenges like his own... He also had a mind for numbers and birthdates. Life events of his family and friends were important to him. He never failed to text and send happy wishes on those days or would include them on his "On This Date" whiteboard in his classroom and share about the person with his class.
Kevin was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Darlene Larson and his brother, Lance Larson. He is survived by his siblings Keith (Nancy) Larson of Charlotte, NC, Laura (Lance) Gackowski of DeKalb, IL, Scott (Margie) Larson of Plainfield, IL, Linda (Mike) Digan of Centennial, CO, Patti (Jim) Cryer of Plainfield, IL, and Kerry Larson of DeKalb, IL as well as and his nieces and nephews Matthew Larson, Jessica (Andy) Nall, Daniel Gackowski, his Goddaughter Kelly Larson, Kyle (Kim) Larson, Hallie (Hunter) Huffman, Chim Chim (Linda Yin) Gackowski, Kendall (Brett) Scibal, Chris (Aaron Ruder) Larson, Amy (Kelley) Millsap, Alison (Mark) Belcher, Mike (Kami) Digan, Christian Cryer, Samantha (Kelly) Cornett and great nieces and nephews, Sydney, Maddy and Charlie Nall, Maura and Emmett Larson, Breyer Huffman, Reggie and Gigi
Gackowski, Crosby Scibal, Quinn and Blaine Millsap, Carter Belcher, Darla, Don, Dracen, Dianna and Dazra Cornett and his Goddaughter Rheann Pinley.
Kevin's family would also like to acknowledge and thank his incredible and wide-ranging friend group with a very special thank you to Landon Faivre, and Brian and Lisa Reidl for showing Kevin such a great time on the 26th and 27th of September.
A funeral service will be at Anderson Funeral Home 2011 S. 4th Street in DeKalb, IL, Sunday, October 5th, 2025, at 2pm with visitation from 11am-2pm, also at Anderson Funeral Home. Burial will immediately follow the service at Fairview Cemetery, 1600 S. 1st Street, DeKalb.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Kevin Larson to the Kaneland High School Special Education Department, the Kaneland High School Athletic Department and Ronald McDonald Children's Charities in Kevin's name, in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.
For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.