Sen. Cal Larson sits in a committee hearing at the State Capitol in St. Paul on April 6, 2005. (Scott Takushi / Pioneer Press)
DETROIT LAKES — Calvin Larson, who served a total of 28 years in the Minnesota Legislature, died on April 1 at an assisted living facility in Detroit Lakes.
Born in Glyndon, Larson served in the Navy before making his home in Fergus Falls. That’s where he was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1966 with a Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus party affiliation, serving District 55 from 1967-72 and District 11 A from 1973-74.
After his time in the Minnesota House, Larson took a break from politics, during which time he grew an insurance company and a family.
He re-entered the state Legislature in 1987 as an Independent Republican after being elected to the Minnesota Senate. He’d remain in that office for two decades before being defeated in 2006 by DFL challenger Dan Skogen.
Throughout his time in office, Larson served Becker, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stearns, Traverse and Wadena counties.
Larson and his family shared their time between Fergus Falls and their cottage outside Pelican Rapids.
On April 4, the Minnesota Senate held a moment of silence for Larson, with Sen. Jordan Rassmuson, R-Fergus Falls, talking about the big impact Larson had in Otter Tail County and his community.
“He helped establish the Fergus Falls Veterans Home and Glendalough State Park, and he was instrumental in opening the door to the first Minnesota High School League girls sports,” said Rassmuson, who said Larson was known for his bipartisan work and lasting friendships with his colleagues.
“Cal Larson was a wonderful senator,” said Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville. “I think members of both parties saw him as fair and honorable … somebody we all trusted and loved.”
Former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman posted a message on social media, saying Larson was an inspiration and mentor to him.
“He set a shining example for what a public servant should be — good common sense, humility, a deeply rooted commitment to do good — and an ability to work with folks on both sides of the aisle to better serve the community he represented,” Coleman wrote.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. June 7, with an ice cream social to follow at Zion Lutheran Church on Franklin Lake in Pelican Rapids.
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