Kenneth M. Larsen

Kenneth Morris Larsen died Thursday, May 9^th 2019, under the care of Hospice, in Grand Forks, ND.

Ken (Bud) Larsen was born June 16^th, 1934 on the family farm east of Felton, MN, to Lauritz and Annie Larsen. The youngest of nine children, Bud grew up in Felton and graduated from Felton High School. He attended Moorhead Teachers College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, and later a Master’s Degree from University of North Dakota.

Ken married Lois Ann Strock on July 9^th, 1955 at the Strock farm north of Felton.  Ken and Lois were married 60 years until her death in 2015. Ken and Lois had four children, with whom he shared his love of family, music and the outdoors. 

In 1956, Ken and Lois moved to Red Lake Falls, MN, where Ken started his teaching career. In 1963, they moved to Grand Forks, where Ken taught Instrumental music at South Junior High for four years.   He then taught at Red River High School, when it opened in 1967, until his retirement in 1989.  He can be credited with composing the Red River School Song. After his retirement from teaching he worked for Poppler’s Music until 1997.

Ken was nationally recognized for his excellence in music education, earning national awards including the McAllister Award, First Chair of America, and the National Band Association Citation of Excellence.  Under his direction, the Red River Wind Ensemble performed at four MENC conventions. In 1972, the ensemble was also recognized as the official Governor’s Band of North Dakota.  He was inducted into the Red River High School Hall of Fame in the year 2000. 

Ken was a talented musician who played trumpet and French horn in area dance bands and local ensembles for over 40 years. Together, Ken and Lois traveled the world extensively, visiting Scandinavia, mainland Europe, the Orient, Morocco, Australia and New Zealand. Working side by side they cleared the land and built a beautiful lake home on Big Elbow Lake, MN, which they enjoyed for 41 years. They also spent 18 winters in Sarasota, FL.

Ken will be sorely missed by his sons: Chris (Michelle) Larsen, Grand Forks, Daniel Larsen, Adams, TN, and Scott (Luan) Larsen, Fertile, MN; daughter, Melanie Wollin, Boston, MA; seven grandchildren – Andy, Nick, Briana (Bill), Brennan (Anna), Jade (Eliot), Emily and Drew, and one great grandson, Jack; brother, John, Fargo ND, sisters, Jo and Lorraine, brother-in-law, Bill Strock, WA.  He was preceded in death by his wife Lois, parents, brothers: Andrew, Carl and Harold, sisters: Emma and Alice, and daughter-in-law Valerie Oyen-Larsen.

In lieu of flowers or memorials, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.