Karen E. Larson

Karen Eleanor (Baker) Larson, 88, of Cambridge, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at her home with family by her side.

Karen was born April 16, 1937 in Minneapolis, MN, to Doris Mae and James Baker, Sr. Karen graduated from Robbinsdale High School Class of 1955. After high school, Karen worked at Cinerama Theatre in St. Louis Park as an usher.

Karen met Barney Larson while she and her friend Patsy were out hitch-hiking on the backroads north of Cambridge. Barney Larson and Shannon Foote, picked up the girls on their motorcycles. Karen got on the back with Barney; Patsy got on the back with Shannon and the rest is history.

On October 1, 1955, Karen was united in marriage to Bernard "Barney" Larson in Weber, MN. They made their home in Cambridge. From this union, three children were born: Michael in 1956, John in 1957, and Lori in 1960. While her children were young, Karen was a stay-at-home mom. In 1959, they built their first house in Edgewood, then they built a house on Paul's Lake in 1970. In 1975, Karen and Barney began as joint owners of Larsons Cycle which was located on Adams Street at that time and they moved to an apartment right above the business. In 1997, the business relocated to its current location on Garfield Street and the Adams Street location & their apartment was torn down and they bought the home in which she would spend her remaining years. In 2001, ownership of the business went to sons Mike & John, but Barney & Karen remained actively working at "The Shop" for many years. Karen retired in 2008.

From 1974 -1979, Karen & Barney were fortunate enough to participate with management of the Teams USA at six of the International Six Day Trials (ISDT's). Their joint participation in the ISDT's as well as their business sales awards, allowed Karen & Barney to travel extensively around the world including Italy, France, Germany, Isle Of Man, England, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Hawaii, Jamaica, Caribbean and Japan, among others places.

Karen was one of the six founding members of the Norsemen Motorcycle Club, founded in 1960 & was a lifetime member. Karen worked tirelessly at every Norsemen racing event whether it be arrowing enduro courses (with a baby on her back), checking at enduros, tabulating scores or working at the food shack. Karen was also a member of the Northern Eagles MC (1956-61) & Straight Arrows Enduro Riders (1974-1979). Karen volunteered her time for years working at the indoor short-track races at the Mpls Armory during the winters, organizing clean-up & play-days at the Cambridge track, spending off-race Sundays at flea markets and trade-shows. Karen also helped with the Norsemen's Adopt-A-Highway program.

Karen always looked forward to the yearly trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally with Barney. Karen and Barney took their family to Sturgis beginning in 1967 & she went to the Rally for 44 years in a row. In her later years, Karen enjoyed going to the Antique Motorcycle Show/Auction in Las Vegas, the Blind Lizard Motorcycle Rally on Nicolett Island in the summer, and the Back-To-The-Fifties Car Show in Mpls each year. Always with Barney.

Karen had a very special circle of close friends. For many years, Karen and her friends would get together every month to play cards and she absolutely loved every minute of these get-togethers. I can still hear the laughter.

Karen was a lifetime member of the Cambridge Lutheran Church (although she didn't attend regularly during racing season) and made sure all her children were confirmed in the Church.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Barney Larson; parents, James Baker, Sr., & Doris Baker; son, John Larson, parents-in-law, Milton & Evelyn Larson; brother, James Baker Jr.; nephew James Baker III, and grandson, Nick Bistodeau,

Karen is survived by her son, Michael Larson (Tina Hjeltman) of Isanti; daughter, Lori Larson of Cambridge; sister, Julie Pizarro of Washington; sister-in-law, Sandra (John) Steinbring of Anoka; grandchildren, Jason (Cassie) Larson, Michelle Larson, Jessia Larson (Chad Valland), Sarah (Andy) Anderson, Joey Bistodeau, Rachel (Geoff) Bistodeau-Purtle; daughter-in-law, Sandra Larson; and great-grandchildren, William, Joey, Olivia, Eli, Payton, Abel and Emily, along with many other relatives & friends.

A private family service will be held at a later date. Karen's ashes will be intermingled with those of Barney's and interred at the Cambridge Lutheran Church Cemetery.

A special heartfelt thanks to Paula Sutherland for her dedicated & devoted care and friendship she gave Karen in the past few years. Also our thanks to St. Croix Hospice Care for their caring service to Karen.