Charles "Chuck" William Larson

Charles “Chuck” William Larson, age 92, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System - Austin. He was born on December 21, 1931, to Clarence and Mary Aileen (Smith) Larson in Mower County, Minnesota, where he resided his whole life. Charles graduated from Austin High School. In January 1951, he joined the United States Army.  On June 9, 1952, he married Audrey Van at St Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin, MN.   They moved to Alabama where he was stationed at Camp Rucker until he was honorably discharged in October of 1952. Audrey and Charles were high school sweethearts that were happily married for 69 years and were able to celebrate on a European River Cruise. He worked at Hormel for 37 years and retired in 1985. Following his retirement from Hormel, he began driving school bus, which he did for 15 years. Chuck was a faithful member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, member of American Legion, Izaak Walton, and a board member of the Hormel Credit Union. He was an avid hunter of pheasant and deer, and a fisherman during his younger years.  He enjoyed watching TV with some of his favorite shows being Lawrence Welk, Johnny Carson, Wheel of Fortune and diligently followed both the Twins and Vikings. Chuck was a social man, he enjoyed weekly coffee with his “buddies” and could be found at many town events in Austin.

Survivors include his children, Joyce (Robert) Larson of Roseau, MN, and Bryan (Aimee) Larson of Hayfield, MN; grandchildren, Nathan (Anne), Kirk, Phillip (Rebecca), Daniel, and Emily; great-grandchildren, Garrett, Kalan, Sierra, Wyatt, Savannah, Carson, Sage, Dafnie, Brielle, Charlee, Milo, and Piper; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Mary Larson; wife, Audrey; granddaughter, Ashton Ann; brother, Richard (his first wife, Frances) (his second wife, Patsy) Larson; sister-in-law, Joan (Darrell) Moe; brother-in-law, Jim (his first wife, Ella) (his second wife, Pam) Van; and niece, Carrie Moe.

The funeral service for Chuck will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Austin. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be made to St. Olaf Lutheran Church or the Hormel Historic Home. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.