Obituary of Don Larsen

Donald “Don” R. Larsen was born on October 4^th, 1936 in Kalispell, Montana to Agnes and Ralph Larsen.  At 10 years old, the family moved to Astoria, Oregon.  In the summer of 1952, the family moved again to Florence, Oregon, where he met his future wife, Betty J (Jackson) Larsen.  In April 1956, he and three high school friends enlisted in the US Army and served two years.  After basic training at Fort Ord, CA, he took leave and came home to marry in Junction City, OR.    He served the remainder of his enlistment in Germany as a cook and left the service with an Honorable Discharge.

Upon return to his wife in Eugene, Oregon, he entered the grocery business as a meat cutter.  Don spent over 28 years in the meat and grocery industry.  In 1980, he left the industry and managed Friedman’s Microwave Ovens store near Valley River Center.  In 1985, Don went back to the grocery industry as a representative for Fircrest Farms/Foster Farms, retiring 1996.

A very active sportsman he and his family fished, hunted, camped and enjoyed downhill skiing. His fishing hobby led him to become a weekend commercial fisherman in Winchester Bay and Florence, Oregon.  Later in life, Don enjoyed traveling in a motorhome all over the nation. 

In 2016, Don and his wife moved to the countryside near their family just south of Canby, Oregon.  As his health limited his travels, he thoroughly enjoyed bird watching in the pasture, and following the lives of close and distant family through pictures and updates on social media. 

Don was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Dale Larsen.  He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty J (Jackson) Larsen, his son, Robert R Larsen, his daughter, Pamela J (Larsen) Helbling.  Five grandchildren Nicole, Chris, Jeff, Sarah, Catie, their spouses Sean, Jacqueline, Lindsey, Trevor, George, and 10 great-grandchildren.