Darrel F. Larsen

Darrel F. Larsen age 90 of Tracy, formerly of the Walnut Grove area passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at his home due to heart failure.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at English Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Interment is in the Walnut Grove Cemetery. Email condolences may be sent via www.walnutgrovefuneralhome.com. The Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Darrel Francis Larsen was born to Hans Christian Frantz (Francis) and Martha Olsen Rogne (Grindeland) Larsen on July 7, 1918 at Lohrville, Iowa. He and his family later moved to the Lucan and Walnut Grove, Minnesota rural areas where his parents farmed for their living. Darrel attended school, and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith while living in these two rural areas.

On August 30, 1942 Darrel was united in marriage to Arlene Brokke at the English Lutheran Church of Walnut Grove. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in August of 2005. Darrel was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and provider for his family; helping to raise two sons, Larry and Randy. Darrel and Arlene made their home on a farm located four miles southwest of Walnut Grove for 52 years before moving into Tracy, Minnesota in 1993. Arlene passed away in September of 2005. Darrel continued living in their home until 2006 when he suffered a serious car accident. He then made his home at the Tracy Prairie View and Lamberton Valley View Nursing Homes while recovering from his accident. He was able to return to his home in Tracy for some periods of time in 2007, 2008 and 2009. On May 1, 2009 he moved into the O'Brian Court at Tracy, MN. On June 20, 2009 he passed away after suffering heart failure at his apartment in O'Brien Courts. He enjoyed a long and full life of almost 91 years of age.

Darrel and Arlene enjoyed much old time dancing with their friends in their years together. They traveled with their 5th wheel camper to many states, wintering in Arizona during the cold weather months of Minnesota. They enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren; taking them camping and fishing. Darrel spent many hours a month traveling to the surrounding area Nursing Homes and Senior Citizen locations playing the accordion for their enjoyment, and sharing of the healing power of Music. He played his music by ear, and when asked one time, how can you play without knowing one note of music? His answer was just listen - then play. Darrel was a member of the English Lutheran Church of Walnut Grove, Lions Club, and was a very active member of the National Farmers Organization (NFO) for many years. He also was a member of and played with the South Dakota Old Time Fiddlers, for many years at locations in South Dakota and Minnesota. He captured 1st place in the button accordion bracket at the South Dakota Fiddlers State Contest, in Yankton, South Dakota three years in a row before his car accident in 2006. After his recovery, his accordion playing became his major healing medicine and motivation. It gave him the reason to keep going. Sharing his music with others was always his goal in life.

His hobbies included hunting, trapping in his early years, and much fishing all seasons of the year. Darrel enjoyed visiting and drinking coffee with his friends, shaking dice with the guys at the Walnut Grove, Tracy area restaurants, playing accordion, concertina, fiddle, and the rattle bones while attending music jams anytime he could find one going on, and of course much old time dancing. He also enjoyed fish fries, some fence checking at times, and loving his Christian Brothers.

Darrel is survived by his son Randy (Darla) Larsen of Walnut Grove, MN; grandchildren: Jason (Nicole) Larsen of Tracy, MN, Brock Larsen of Mankato MN, and Crystal (Chad) Schultz of Belle Plaine, MN; great grandchildren: Walter and Elle Schultz of Belle Plaine, and Ella Larsen of Tracy; daughter-in-law Sharon Larsen of Balaton, MN, step grandchildren: Larry Larsen (Karisa) of Florence, MN, Lori Duscher (Dean) of Milroy, MN; and step great-grandchildren Brandon and Kendra Duscher. Darrel was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and son Larry.

All who knew Darrel were greatly blessed by his music, friendship, and happiness. Long live his memory in all of our hearts as we celebrate his life and time given to us. May God bless and keep his music alive in each of us.