Dean A Larsen

"Angels We Have Heard on High" called Dean Andrae Larsen, 80, home to his Heavenly Father on November 21, 2024, after years of declining health due to kidney disease and dementia.

On April 13, 1944, Dean was born with his twin sister to parents, Clifford and Evelyn Larsen, in Volga, SD. The family, with six children, lived in South Dakota on a farm near Oldham in his early years until moving to Foreston, MN, in 1948, where they continued to farm with all the children pitching in on chores...Dean's job was collecting eggs from the chicken coop and carrying the slop pail out to the pigs. He initially attended two country schools with many siblings, cousins and his mother teaching the class. He graduated high school in Milaca in 1962, attended University of MN and then Luther Seminary in St. Paul to be ordained an ELCA minister in 1970. Dean met his first wife, Jeanne Salo, in Milaca while teaching a bible study class, they were married in 1967 and had four children.

Dean thought of himself as more of a designer pastor than a maintenance pastor. He was called to assist churches in need and embraced the opportunity to encourage change and lay groundwork for the future of each church. His parishes included Highland Lutheran/Brandt SD (1970-1975), Zion Lutheran/Aberdeen, SD (1975-1979), Our Savior's Lutheran/Rolla, ND (1979-1985), First Lutheran/Williston, ND (1992-1997); and lastly, Trinity Lutheran/Rockford, IL (1997-2003). He also served as Assistant to the Bishop of ELCA in Eastern ND from 1985-1992. He counseled many, performed marriages and funerals, taught Sunday School, took Luther League groups on canoe and camping trips and more. He created many close friendships through these churches and those lifelong friends often requested his return to church/community celebrations which Dean enjoyed very much.

Dean was a grand storyteller and had a unique manner of preaching to his congregations and would often question them, encouraging additional thought or reflection on a bible reading or lesson with a simple "hmmmm?" while emphasizing his point. He believed in the powerful messaging of dreams and was intrigued by the mind/psyche. He studied Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and received advanced certifications from The Hudson Institute and Calling & Caring Ministries.

Dean relocated to Columbus, OH, and married his current wife, Alecia MacMaster, in 2004. Dean and Alecia had a passion for gardening and they created a backyard sanctuary with a boardwalk, gazebo and fish ponds that was featured in a local newspaper. Calling on his cabinetry skills from his father, he started a woodworking shop with his sons in Ohio and built quality cabinets for several years. He also became very fond of The Ohio State Buckeyes during these years.

In 2021, Dean and Alecia relocated to Pensacola FL, which he lovingly referred to as "paradise." He enjoyed working in the yard year-round and appreciated there was no snow to shovel. The Florida weather also allowed Dean to spend more time with his beloved dog, Scarlett, who was always by his side, day and night.

Aside from gardening and woodworking, Dean loved Minnesota sports and was an avid Gophers, Vikings and Twins fan. He enjoyed golfing and playing cards, specifically "11" which was a Larsen family card game played at all reunions.

Proceeded in death by his parents, Clifford & Evelyn Larsen; his former wife, Jeanne (Salo) Larsen; his brother, Jerone Larsen; his brothers-in-law Dan Cheney, Don (Art) Millam, Ralph Herrera, George Fowler and Ron Short.

He is loved and fondly remembered by his family including his children Kirsten (Kyle) Tappe-Heveron, Jacob Larsen, Dana (Joel) Howe, Aaron (Kristin) Larsen and grandchildren Emilie, Rachel, Annikka, Taisto, Eila and Elin, plus great-grandchildren Charlotte and Sunnie; his wife, Alecia, and step-children Jay (Josie) MacMaster, Erin (Chris) Drenik and Nathan (Chrissy) MacMaster and grandchildren Kinley, Mara, Johnny and Bennett; his siblings Eugene (Ginny) Larsen, Elaine (Marlynn) Millam, Dianne Herrera, Jan Johnson, along with many nieces and nephews and longtime friends. He will forever live in our hearts.

The family is planning a Memorial and Celebration of Dean's Life in Minnesota in April, 2025.

Matthew 25:21 -- His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'