Donald Maynard Larson, 87, of Elkader, passed away Friday, April 21, 2023 at MercyOne Hospital in Elkader surrounded by his wife and three daughters.
He was born December 29, 1935, in rural Highland Township to Adolph and Mary (Johnson) Larson. He was baptized and confirmed at the Highland Lutheran Church.
Donnie attended school in Elkader and graduated with the class of 1954.
Donnie met the love of his life at the age of 16 at a dance in Volga City, Iowa. On February 26, 1954, he was united in marriage to Rita Marie Farmer. Four children were born to this union.
Donnie was a lifelong farmer. He enjoyed milking, crop farming, and beef cattle. Donnie received the “Outstanding Young Farmer Award.” Every Tuesday you could find him around a table playing cards with his wife and friends at Edgewood.
His face lit up and smile couldn’t get any bigger when his grandchildren and great grandchildren walked in the room. His arms were out, and his lap was ready for whoever would jump in it.
He had a love for watching basketball games. It was nothing for him and his brother from California to spend hours on the phone discussing each play while the game was on.
In Donnie and Rita’s 69 years of marriage, they enjoyed dancing, card clubs, and traveling with friends around the world.
Donnie is survived by his wife, Rita of Elkader, children, Debbie (Richard) Crane, Dawn (Greg) Anderson, and Dixie (Brian) Wilker, all of Elkader; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren – and one on the way.
He was preceded in death by his son, Douglas Larson; his parents; his mother and father-in-law (Dewey and Cepha Farmer) and six siblings.
Private Family services will be held.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family.