Bennet Larson

Bennet Larson, Oklee, Minnesota, was born July 10, 1937 in Garnes Township, the 10th of 11 children born to Bennet & Helga (Larson) Larson. He attended Oklee Public Schools and graduated with the Class of 1955. He set off for Montana and worked as a ranch hand--yes, he was a cowboy--and also did custom harvesting for the summer. Here he met his future wife, Virginia.
Bennet returned to Minneapolis and attended the Humbolt Institute. After graduating, he returned to Montana for another summer. In December of 1957, he married Virginia Rosenbaum, immediately joined the Army and left for Fort Chaffee, Arkansas for basic training. Bennet was a combat engineer SP-4 and served in Karlsruhe, Germany, eventually ending his total active duty and reserves service in 1963. By this time, two girls had been born, and they resided in St Paul, where he worked at St Paul Trucking as a logistics specialist until 1968. In the meantime, another baby girl had been added to the family.
In the Spring of 1968 Bennet & Virginia moved to Oklee to become owners & operators of Oklee Recreation Cafe & Bowling Center. Hey--another baby girl comes along...and this town of Oklee is where Bennet finds his calling in life.
The Jaycees, The Lions Club, Oklee Community Club, Oklee Diamond Jubilee, Zion Lutheran Church Council, Oklee Ambulance Service, Oklee Fire Department, Community Homes, RLC Board of Aging, Setesdalslaget Board of Directors, American Legion & member of Zion Lutheran Church. For a short time, he served as a Justice of the Peace for Red Lake County, holding court in "The Country Room" of the Oklee Recreation Center. He also opened a business within the bowling alley called The Whopper Tackle Shop, where many bought their fishing & hunting gear, swapping stories of the "one that got away", building friendships that lasted a lifetime.
After selling the bowling alley, Bennet worked for a short time at Arctic Cat and the Casino in Mahnomen, but decided eventually to move to Warren, MN where The Elmcrest Motel became their new adventure. They lived in Warren & operated the Elmcrest for 11 years, then moved to Oklee in 2005 for the retirement years, traveling a few times to Texas for the winters.
Bennet loved to camp, fish, play cards and spend time with family, but mostly, he loved to talk. His stories kept everyone entertained. He always had something to say and was proud of his family, his friends, his home, his town, his country. He had a great respect for Veterans and love for God.
He is survived by his four daughters: Kimm (Thor) Thorson, Brainerd, MN; Kristine (Jim) Mattson, Redfield, SD; Kari (Daryl) Hamm, Oklee, MN; Kathi Bauer, Warren, MN. Grandchildren Timothy Thorson, Marissa Thorson, Kathleen Thorson, Jessica Mattson, Jacob Mattson, Zachary Mattson, Christopher (Ashley) Hamm, Kayla (Lee) Knutson, Conway (fiancé Lexi) Hamm, Meghan (David) Geeslin, Brooke (Devon) Binstock, Jason (Megan) Bauer, Joseph Bauer, Benjamin Bauer; Great-Grandchildren Luca, Roman, Theo, Gemma, Bodin, Taylor, Millie, Monroe, Cecelia, Raphael, Magnus, Perpetua, Kasper & Berlyn plus many nieces, nephews, cousins & special friends.
Bennet is preceded in death by his wife of more than 65 years, Virginia; his parents Bennet & Helga Larson, Grandparents Mikkel & Gunda Larson and Germund & Kristine Larson; brothers Goodwin, Martin, Engvald, Alvin, Ernie & Donald; sisters Gunda, Ruth, Leona & Elna; Grandson, Peter Lars, Son-in-Law Jeff Bauer.
Bennet Larson died peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, May 5, 2025 at the age of 87 years old. May his memory be blessed.
Funeral service for Bennet will be held 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church in Oklee, MN with Marijo Vik officiating. Burial with Military honors will be held at Zion Church Cemetery near Oklee, MN.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday May 14, 2025 from 5 – 7 PM with a time of sharing at 6:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church and also one hour prior to the service on Thursday.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com