Obituary of Melvin Larson

Melvin G. Larson of Cambridge, died on Saturday November 3rd, 2007 at Cambridge Health Care Center at age 77 with his family by his side. Mel was born in Bradford Township on May 2nd, 1930 to Gustave and Elsie Larson on the family farm outside of Cambridge. He was ten minutes older than his twin brother Maynard and was one of eight children in the family. After attending Kienitz Grade School through the eighth grade and then went on and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1948. Melvin enrolled in the Air Force and ranked Airman Second Class and served in Missouri during the Korean War conflict. Mel returned home and completed two years at Drew's Business College and earned a degree in accounting. Mel was an accountant with United Power Association (UPA) now Great River Energy in Elk River for 38 ½ years. In 1961, Mel married Jan Honzalek and had their first child Steve in 1963 followed by the birth of their daughter Stephanie in 1972. Mel was so proud and enjoyed being a father his entire life. Mel and his family lived in Cambridge where they were members of the First Baptist Church and enjoyed many fun filled summers camping at Springvale Camp Ground outside of Cambridge. Mel enjoyed playing cards especially Wist and especially loved winning. He would spend hours reading the newspaper and listening to WCCO talk radio to be caught up on current events everyday. Mel enjoyed all sports but the Vikings and the Twins were his favorites even when they were not at the top of their game. He enjoyed watching sports with his son Steve and bantering back and forth about how the teams were doing. Ask Mel the statistics of any team and he would know them without fail. Mel and Jan enjoyed many trips in Europe, Japan, Scandinavia and the United States and even traveled to England to visit their daughter Stephanie when she was studying there in 1994. Mel is known most for his love to strike up a conversation with anyone he met and sit and talk with the crew at Herman's Bakery for coffee and donuts. Mel was committed by giving back to the community and served on many boards and committee's including The City of Cambridge Planning Commission, Member of the American Legion Post 280, Minnco Credit Union Board, Clerk of the Cambridge Township Board for over 23 years, Cambridge School Board, Election Judge, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the East Central Regional Development Commission since 1996. His commitment to his church, a faithful member, he served as an usher and Treasurer of the Boys Brigade. Mel was a cancer survivor for so many years and actively supported many like him. He is survived by his wife Jan Larson and son Steve Larson of Cambridge, Daughter Stephanie Larson-Carey of Sartell, Sisters Carolyn Johnson and Ruth Magnuson of Ham Lake, Maynard (Helen) Larson of St. Cloud, Robert (Bev) Larson, Marylyn Reineccius of Grandview, Wesley (Wanda) Larson, John (Liz) Larson all of Cambridge, Sister in law Darlene (Lowell) Carlson of Stanchfield and Betty (Jim) Eng of St. Paul and many nieces and nephews. Mel was preceded in death by his parents Gustave and Elsie Larson of Cambridge, nephew's Timothy Larson of the Twin Cities and brother Maynard's infant son Aaron Larson of St. Cloud, brother in law's Oliver Johnson and Harold Magnuson of Ham Lake and Russell Reineccius of Cambridge and his wife's parents Frank and Mildred Honzalek of Braham.