Richard Larsen

Richard Elmer Larsen was born on September 29, 1933, in Ayr, North Dakota, to Elmer and Lena “Artie” Rieniets Larsen. He was confirmed at American Lutheran Church, which is now Peace Lutheran Church, and has been a life-long member.

He was graduated from Central High School in Fargo, North Dakota, in 1951 and attended North Dakota State University for two years where he played forward on the basketball team. When he was drafted by the Army for the Korean War, he completed Basic Training at Fort Riley Kansas, followed by two years of training as a paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Just as he was being deployed to Germany, the War came to an end, and he was discharged. He attended Dakota Business College on the GI Plan.

In 1956 he married Mary Koering in Hillsboro, ND. They made their home in Fargo and were blessed with three children: Denise, Valerie, and Dale. All three children were confirmed at Peace Lutheran.

As televisions became prominent in American homes in the 1950’s, he began fixing TVs on a part-time basis. In 1961, he completed training with United Electronics Laboratories in Louisville, KY, to become a Certified Electronics Technician. At that time, he established Dick Larsen TV and went full-time with his business, serving Fargo-Moorhead and the surrounding area for over 40 years.

In 1978, he married Paula Roth. His son, Dale, was 16 at the time and lived with them for the first five years of their marriage. In 1983, they were blessed with a son, Daniel. They celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary this past year (2025).

In 1989, at the age of 56, Dick returned to NDSU to finish what he started 38 years before and earned a bachelor’s degree in University Studies.

Through the years Dick and Paula enjoyed travelling, volunteering, life at the lake, and family vacations and get-togethers. As members of the Red River Danes Club, they volunteered for the local Scandinavian Festival for many years where Dick would dress as a Danish Guard and Paula was a strolling musician, playing the accordion. They also volunteered many years as a couple for Hospice of Red River Valley (now HIA) and Meals on Wheels.

Dick was an avid golfer and bowler. He enjoyed golfing through the years and played with the Senior Tour after he retired. He was a life-long member of the American Legion and Chef de Gare (Commander) of The 40 and 8. He served as a mentor for the Restorative Justice Program of Lutheran Social Services, worked with foreign exchange students and their assigned families for the AFS-USA international exchange program, was a driver for many years at Riverview Place, was an Ombudsmen at Bethany Nursing Home, a long-time member of the Fargo Exchange Club, and a grateful member of Al-anon.

Survivors are his wife, Paula, two daughters and two sons: Denise Muscha (Amenia, ND), Valerie Larsen (Fargo, ND), Dale Larsen and wife, Liz (Casselton, ND), and Dan Larsen (Littleton, CO). His siblings, Robert Larsen, (Fargo, ND) and Judy Parrett (Issaquh, WA).

Grandchildren: Jennifer Wulf and husband, Logan, (Ramsey, MN), Matt Larson (Sioux Falls), Neil Larson and wife, Sarah (Sioux Falls), Derek Larsen (Fargo), Michelle Kieffer and husband, Justin (Casselton, ND), Marsha Arens and husband, James (Casselton, ND), Jean Roubideaux (Moorhead, MN), Ceara Roubideaux (Fargo, ND).

Great Grandchildren: Morrigan and Killian Wulf, Bailey Larson and fiancée, Aliva Herron (Sioux Falls, SD), Kaelynn Larson (Sioux Falls, SD), Emmett and Winnie Larson (Sioux Falls, SD), Kiara Larsen (Gillette, WY), Kalijah Laber (Devils Lake, ND), Owen, Grace, Samantha, and Alyssa Kieffer (Casselton, ND), Emmett and Winnie Larson (Sioux Falls, SD), Adrian and Hayden Arens (Casselton, ND), and Braidyn Stewart (Fargo, ND).

Great Great Grandchild: Colson Larson (Sioux Falls, SD).

Preceding him in death were his parents Elmer and Artie Larsen, son-in-law, Cary Muscha, his first wife, Mary Koering, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery.