Donald R. Larsen, 93
Donald R. Larsen, 93, passed away June 17, 2019, at Lakeview Care Center in Bigfork.
He was born July 23, 1925, near Culberton, Montana, to Harry and Sena Larsen. He grew up on the family farm near Culbertson learning how to farm and work hard at a young age. His elementary school education included attending the McCabe School and a country school near the family farm. He graduated from Culbertson High School.
In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served honorably during World War II. After discharge, he earned a degree in accounting from Kinman Business College in Spokane. Not liking office work, he began his career in surveying and engineering with the Montana Department of Highways (MDH) in 1950. He worked from 1950 until 1968 with the MDH and the Washington Department of Transportation. In 1968, the family moved to Kalispell and he worked for private land surveying firms in the Kalispell area. From 1973 until 1993 he owned a private land surveying business in Kalispell. In 1993 he semi-retired and his son Jeff took over his business. He continued to do surveying field and office work well into his 80s and worked on surveying projects as an advisor into his 90s. Surveying was the passion and love of his life and up until his death he wished he could be out in the field doing survey work. He was a tremendous influence and mentor for his son Jeff who followed in his footsteps with a career in surveying and engineering.
In 1954 he married the love of his life, Isabel Lapp; they had two children, daughter Kim Larsen Snell and son Jeff Larsen. He was a wonderful father and grandfather and there was nothing more important to him than his family.
He is survived by daughter Kim Larsen Snell (Jim) of Kalispell; son Jeff Larsen (Ardis) of Lakeside,; granddaughter Megan Larsen of Puyallup, Washington; and sister Ruby Beshara of Akron, Ohio.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Aug. 17 at Faith Free Lutheran Church, 405 Liberty Street, Kalispell.
In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to Faith Free Lutheran Church or the Veterans Pantry.