Ron “Lars” Larson, age 83, of Shakopee, MN, entered eternal peace on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024, at 11 AM, with a time of gathering from 9:30-11 AM, all at The Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne – St. Mary of the Purification, 15850 Marystown Road, Shakopee, MN.
Ronald was born on December 17, 1940 to Curtis and Ruby (Schott) Larson in Shell Lake Township, Becker County, MN the third of eight children. Growing up in Ebro, MN he attended a one room schoolhouse with most students being his siblings or cousins. He completed his education through 8 th grade before going to work with his father logging pulp. In 1958, he moved to Jordan, MN and lived with his sister Betty and her family. He was employed as a farm hand until his brother-in-law, Swede, got him a job in construction. After joining the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 in 1961, Ron worked in the highway-heavy field contributing to numerous state highway projects throughout the Midwest. He took a short withdrawal from the union in 1970 to partner with his close friend, Al Lange, to open an Arctic Cat dealership (Rosemount Arctic Cat). In 1973, after selling the snowmobile dealership, Ron returned to the union and started working as a crane operator for Danny’s Construction . Throughout his crane operating career, he was part of countless construction projects such as the Bloomington Ferry Bridge, Wild Stadium, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Sher-Co in Becker, MN, and many of the skyways dotting downtown Minneapolis. His son, Jimmy, followed in his footsteps as a crane operator and they had the good fortune of working together on the Wild Arena, Medtronic’s campus and the Como Zoo Observatory. Ron eventually retired in 2004 after over 40 years in the union.
Ron’s life changed forever when he met Trish in 1965. They were united in marriage on February 18, 1967 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Minneapolis. They were blessed with three children, Andrea, Robert, and Jimmy. Ron was a proud grandpa to Collin, Erin and Joey who considered him the best grandpa ever.
As a family, they enjoyed many of Ron’s antics ranging from convincing his kids that he learned to cook in the Army (he was never in the Army) or that he was a doctor in Ebro to surprising Trish by buying a Bucyrus Erie crane that found a home in the backyard of their home.
Ron had a passion for classic cars, snowmobiles and racing. He spent time in the 1960’s involved with snowmobile racing, earning him a ranking of 6 th in the upper Midwest right behind the factory sponsored team. He also raced prototype engines for Arctic Cat. He shared his interest in snowmobiles with his children by purchasing a Kitty Kat, the third off the manufacturing line and is still running today. And he could never pass up an opportunity to street race one of his many souped up cars on the locally famous drag strip, otherwise known as Lake Street in Minneapolis. Later in life, he built a hot rod from a 1947 Chevy pickup his brother-in-law, Tom, brought back from military service. As a hot rod owner, it was imperative he have a special garage for that truck, which became more than just a garage. It became the depository for all manner of curiosities and collectibles. Everything from car memorabilia to wasp nests he found on their property. He greatly enjoyed giving tours and telling the story behind every object he collected. Ron loved the outdoors and a well-groomed yard, free of wayward sticks always kept him busy.
Ron was a very humble man with a huge heart. He will be greatly missed by his bride of nearly 57 years, Trish; children Andi, Robert and Jimmy (Mindy); grandchildren, Collin Livingston, Erin Livingston, and Joey Larson; siblings, Leroy, Tommy and Barbara; many other loving nieces, nephews, family and friends. Preceded in death by his parents Curtis and Ruby; and siblings, Betty, Charlotte, Marilyn, and Karen.
