Kent Larson

Kent Larson, 87, of Ackley, passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Ackley. Visitation will be an hour before the service. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley.
Kent L. Larson of Ackley passed away on December 4,2024, at Mercy One in Mason City.
Kent L. Larson was born on April 4, 1937, to Floyd L. and Helen McClintock Larson in Waukon, Iowa. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1954. In 1958 he graduated from the University of Dubuque with his Bachelor of Science degree. He sang in the Dubuque University Concert Choir for four years. He also was named the outstanding Physics student during his senior year.
Kent and Elaine Odegard were married on August 16, 1958, at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville, Iowa. That fall they moved to West Union, Iowa where they taught and lived for three years and where their oldest son Todd was born.
Kent was awarded a fellowship to study at the University of South Dakota and received his Master of Natural Science degree in 1962. The family then moved to Ackley where Kent taught chemistry, physics, math, computer, and drivers ed for 34 years. Two more children, Thor and Kirstie, were added to the family while they lived in Ackley. Kent spent his summers teaching drivers ed and taking family vacations. He also found time to study at South Dakota State, Washington University, Nebraska Wesleyan, Stanford, Iowa State, and UNI, because he was awarded National Science Foundation grants.
Kent served as a volleyball referee and substitute bus driver for many years. After his retirement in 1996, he continued to drive bus and substitute teach.
He was a charter member of the Ackley Lions Club and was responsible for recruiting numerous students to donate blood. He received the Melvin Jones award for his diligent effort.
Kent was also a charter member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church where he sang in the church choir and served as usher.
Kent and Elaine enjoyed traveling and visited 49 states, the Canadian Rockies, and went on three European tours. They especially enjoyed attending their children and grandchildren's academic, music, and sporting events and spent 27 years watching them excel at both the high school and college level. Kent also found pleasure in riding his motorcycle and attending major league baseball games, especially the Chicago Cubs.
Kent is survived by his beloved wife Elaine, sons Todd of Boynton Beach, FL, Thor (Dalissa) of Waverly, IA and daughter Kirstie (Mark) Poppe of Rochester, MN.
He was blessed with 6 grandchildren, Dane (Meghan) Larson of Woodbury, MN, Eric (Courtney) Larson of Ankeny, IA, Levi (Alli) Poppe of Waseca, MN, Krissa (Brody) Klein of Solon, IA, Cade Poppe of Rochester, MN and Brig Poppe of Lacrosse, WI.
He enjoyed knowing the 4th generation of children, Raymond and Harriet Larson of Woodbury, MN and Nora and Victor Larson of Ankeny, IA. He is also survived by three step grandchildren, Kim Buening, Keith Adair, and Darrick Adair, as well as several nieces. Preceding Kent in death were his parents, brother Garvin, daughter-in-law Sherri Larson, brother-in-law Allan Odegard, sister-in-law Donna Larson and his in laws, Beulah and Raymond Odegard.
Blessed be the memory of a loving, faithful, and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, educator, and community minded person. Memorials may be given to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in his honor.