Joann Larson

Joann Larson, age 92, passed away peacefully on December 12. She was born on May 30, 1933, and spent her entire life in Minnesota, a place she proudly called home.

Joann was a force. She was spunky, independent, and full of grit. She was a true firecracker who was funny, witty, and always honest with her thoughts and feelings. She told it how it was and cracked a joke to make the point.

Joann is survived by her sons, Brent (Shawn) Larson, Curt Larson, and Greg Larson; her grandchildren, Whitney Larson, Chase Larson, Brianna (Chad) Hagen, and Danielle Larson; her great-grandchildren, Blake, Isabelle, and Wyatt; and her partner later in life, Gerald Sabick. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert "Bob" Larson.

Joann married Robert "Bob" Larson on November 6, 1954, in Duluth, Minnesota. Together they shared more than 50 years of marriage and built a life grounded in family, hard work, and deep pride in their home. After marrying, Joann and Bob lived in Duluth before moving to Britt, Minnesota. During their years in Britt, Joann worked as a teacher's paraprofessional in the Virginia, Minnesota school system. During this time, Joann and Bob also raised sled dogs, an experience that brought Joann great joy and became a passion also enjoyed by her sons. They later moved to Prior Lake, Minnesota, where Joann worked as a veterinary assistant, a role that perfectly suited her lifelong love for animals. Eventually, Joann and Bob returned to Duluth, where they purchased their historic Jackson house set on ten acres filled with ponds and woods. The home became Joann's pride and joy. She meticulously cared for the house and land, gardened endlessly, and continued mowing and maintaining the property well into her eighties.

Joann could garden all day, was a wonderful cook, and loved preparing large meals for her family, always making sure everyone had leftovers. She loved to travel and had boundless energy, especially for the outdoors. She found joy in collecting rocks from the shores of Lake Superior and creating beautiful landscapes. Her son Greg built a cabin for her and Bob in Grand Marais, and both the cabin and her Jackson house were featured in newspaper articles and on magazine covers for the landscapes Joann designed and built with her own hands.

Joann's fierce independence, loving spirit, and unwavering whit, strength, and humor will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those who loved her.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Spring of 2026.