Patricia Mae Larson, age 83 passed away at Heritage Living Center of Park Rapids, MN on January 26, 2024.
She was born on January 24, 1941, to Melvin and Margaret Smith in Wadena, MN. She was the oldest of three children including her loving sister Linda and her good-humored brother Wayne. She was a graduate of Wadena High School and Moorhead State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Pat was born with an incredible passion for life, love for her family, a gift of teaching young people, a positive and encouraging attitude, a creative and artistic mind, a selfless disposition, and a determined outlook on life. She possessed a never-ending love for her children, husband, family, neighbors, and friends. Pat spent much of her life teaching young people as an art teacher at Ada High School, the Catholic School in Crookston, and the University of Minnesota, Crookston.
As a mother, she dedicated tireless hours supporting, encouraging, and raising her four children in Crookston, MN as they participated in 4-H, wrestling, cheerleading, basketball, baseball, violin/bass/piano lessons, orchestra practice, and church. She drove thousands of miles across the country hauling 4-H members to county and Minnesota State Fair competitions, children to music lessons for orchestra practice and recitals, and wrestlers to practices, tournaments, and camps. She helped instill a sense of commitment, determination, and confidence in her children that made them believe they could accomplish anything in life! Later in life, she ventured into other career paths where she worked in Public Relations in Grand Forks, ND, and finally started Prairie Rose Homecare Services in Minot, ND. Pat and her husband Dick retired at their lake home on Long Lake in Shevlin, MN where she continued to spend countless hours supporting young 4-H members with their projects and demonstrations while winning purple and blue ribbons of her own for her best-in-class sugar cookies and Ornate Seed Art Creations at the Minnesota State Fair. She loved the Minnesota State Fair and still stayed at the 4-H building as a chaperone well into her aging years! Pat believed in people and was determined to help young people, especially young girls, develop lifelong skill sets and confidence. In her later years, Pat truly enjoyed visiting with family, friends, and neighbors at the lake and could often be found helping out at Itasca State Park where she shared her artistic abilities through face painting on young children who visited the park. She was well-loved and will be dearly missed.
Pat is preceded in death by both her parents Melvin and Margaret Smith, brother Wayne Smith, and grandson Connor Reindl. She is survived by her loving husband of 36 years Richard Larson, Sister Linda
Macklanburg, Son Tony (Carrie) Kuznik, Son Paul (Brenda) Kuznik, Daughter Tanjya (Randy) Tibbetts, Daughter Kelly (George) Reindl, Son Erik (Pam) Larson, Daughter Sara Larson, Grandchildren Julia Tibbetts, Jack Tibbetts, Leasha (Tyler) West, Kayla Reindl, Tony Kuznik, Anson Kuznik, Arron Kuznik, Camille Kuznik, Matthew (Madeline) Larson, Megan Larson, Adam Tronnes, Abby Tronnes, and Great Granddaughter Gemma Larson along with many loved nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Sell Lake Church- rural Shevlin, MN. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the services at the church.
Arrangements by the Cease Family Funeral Home of Park Rapids, MN.
