Kay Naomi Larson

Kay Naomi Larson was born January 29, 1937, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota to Henry Louis Handke and Norma (Funkhauser) Handke. She was the second of two daughters. Before she started grade school, the family moved to the farming community of Brandon, Minnesota, where her paternal grandparents Robert Louis Handke and Mary (Bonus) Handke owned a garage for farm machinery and automobile repair. After graduating from Brandon High School in 1954, Kay studied Home Economics for two years (1954 – 1956) at Stout Institute/Stout State College in Menomonie, Wisconsin. To earn money for college, she worked evenings and weekends at a local grocery store and the local telephone office while in high school.

Kay and C. Leroy Larson, a local Bremer banker, married on August 9, 1955. They were married for 57 years, until Roy’s death in 2012. Their daughter, Alexa, graduated from Brandon High School in 1975, shortly before they moved to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Roy served as the President of Bremer’s First American Bank until retirement. Their sons Mark and Brooks, graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1977 and 1981 respectively. Soon after moving to Detroit Lakes, Kay began working at the Marquee Gift Shop. In 1979, along with colleagues; Eleinore Anderson and Donna Nester, she became a joint owner. After Eleinore’s retirement, Kay and Donna continued the Washington Avenue business for over 25 years. The Marquee closed permanently January 30, 2009, just a few months after Donna’s death in August, 2008.

Kay died peacefully in her assisted living apartment at Lincoln Park in Detroit Lakes. She is survived by her three children and four granddaughters: Naomi Larson, Kathrin Thorisch, Emily Larson, Abby Larson, son-in-law Thomas Thorisch, daughter-in-law Lisa (Conzemius) Larson and other relatives. 

In addition, expressing our deep gratitude to the Lincoln Park staff for their attentive care in the later months of Kay’s 87 years, the family wishes to extend a whole-hearted thank you to Hospice of the Red River Valley staff for the palliative care they provided in the final stages of Kay’s life.

Kay ’s memorial service is planned for 10 am on December 28, 2024, at Wes Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes. Following the service, friends and family are invited to gather at her West Lake Drive condominium to share memories and a light lunch.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Detroit Lakes Public Library.