Vernell "Buck" Allen Larson

Vern “Buck” Allen Larson, age 74, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Thursday, December 28, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Methodist Campus. Vernell Allen Larson was born in Austin on October 4, 1949, to Harry and Betty (Finkelson) Larson. He graduated from Pacelli High School in 1967 and later enlisted in the United States Army, dedicating well over 20 years to our country to include a tour in Vietnam. Buck worked for the Austin Utilities for 40 years, with a majority of that time spent as a lineman. On July 16,1983, Buck married the love of his life Suzanne “Sue” Spinler in Austin, Minnesota. He was baptized at Queen of Angels Church and attended First United Methodist Church with Sue and his children. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1216; he was also a member of the United Auto Workers, Local 867 holding the position of financial secretary from 1983-2023. His hobbies included bowling, boating, fishing, hunting, traveling, playing cards, and spending time with family and friends. Despite the known letdowns of being a Minnesota sports fan, Buck was a lifelong fan of The Vikings and later developed a love for The Wild. He also enjoyed watching the Austin Bruins hockey team as they housed several players over the years. He loved classic cars, his prized possession being his 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 that is currently being restored. Sue and Buck had a cabin in Cleveland, Minnesota that he loved to spend his summers at. Back in their prime the two of them could be found out on the town on a Saturday night, tearing up the dance floor. He loved his Corgis, much more than Sue’s cats, and also adored his many grand dogs over the years. He looked forward to breakfast dates with friends, trips with the United Auto Workers and his family, and countless hunting/fishing getaways with his buddies which always included a good game of cards and countless hours at "Buck's Honey Hole" on the Rainy River, where he never got skunked. Over the past 13 years he took frequent road trips to wherever his youngest daughter, Bethany, and her family lived, making sure he was there to help on their countless Army moves. Buck had the gift to gab and was a social butterfly, rarely encountering an unfamiliar face. He always had a story to share or a joke to tell. He was known to give the best hugs and was a kind and giving person who would give you the shirt off his back if you were in need. Despite his many health battles and not having the best of luck, Buck always kept a smile on his face and loved life. He fought hard until the very end. Buck will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved him.

Buck is survived by his wife of forty years, Sue Larson of Austin; children, Tina (Quinten) Amos of Albert Lea, Andrew Larson of Austin, Patrick Larson of Austin, and Bethany (Grahm) Neve of Fort Johnson, Louisiana; grandchildren, Kylie, Latrell, Maliyah, Gabriela, Ayden, Autumn, Coltin, Cadence, and Ravyn; great-granddaughter, Maeve; siblings, Carolyn (Bill) Hagen; siblings-in-law, Yuri Justin, Sandy (Ernie) Halbach, Joe (Amy) Spinler; mother-in-law, Donna Spinler; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Betty Larson, siblings, Cheryl (Steve) Carlson, Donald Larson, and Diane Larson; brother-in-law, Richard Spinler; and father-in-law, Loren Spinler.