Obituary for Marvin L. Larsen

Larsen, Marvin L.,

Age 89, of St. Louis Park, passed away on December 19, 2019. Marvin was born in 1930 in Crystal Lake, IL. At the time it was a farming community, but his father was an oilman working for Standard Oil. Marvin’s values were largely shaped by his father’s example of giving freely to others, especially during the Great Depression. After graduating from high school, Marvin attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, graduating in 1952. He joined the Navy shortly thereafter, spending 3 years as a flight commander and traveling much of the world during that time. He dabbled in racing, staying within the European circuit, and after leaving the service, began a career in theater. He spent the next 5 years working on set-building for several productions, off-Broadway and at the community level. He came to Minnesota at the behest of his best friend, and worked on a community theater production. It was during this time that he met Diane, and they were married in 1961. Marvin then worked with Honeywell, spending time on the Gemini project in an engineering capacity. After having three children, Marvin moved on to the employment sector, working as an account executive placing engineering candidates in open positions by contract. Marvin spent most of the remainder of his working life in the same way, helping people find work that best suited their talents. Marvin enjoyed the outdoors, taking his family on several road trips, spanning most of the continental US. He loved camping, canoeing, fishing and hiking. His enthusiasm for these excursions was infectious, and led to many good stories, shared as a family in his later years. Marvin experienced life as few do, traveling the world, devoting time to his family, and teaching important life lessons along the way. He will be missed. Preceded by his loving wife, Diane DeVore Larsen; brothers, Paul & Ralph. Survived by children, Jenny, John (Elizabeth), and David (Jeanne); grandchildren, Brandon, Devon, Serenae, Grayson, Mihret, and Maya; great grandchildren, Violet, Theodore & Camila; brother, Leonard; other relatives and friends. Memorial Service 11 AM Friday, February 28, at Vista Lutheran Church, 4003 Wooddale Ave. S., St. Louis Park; with visitation 1 hour prior to the service. Memorials preferred to Penumbra Theater, 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul, 55102