Dr. Charles E. Larsen

Dr. Charles E. Larsen, age 88 of Fort Collins, Colorado went to meet the Lord on December 14, 2014 from his home. He had lived in Fort Collins since 1986, having moved here from Brookings, South Dakota. Charles was born in Hyannis, Nebraska on May 25, 1926 to Ernest G. and Miriam (Cooper) Larsen. He was one of six children; Eleanor, Bill, John, Mary and Roland, who grew up on the family ranch near Bingham, NE, where his father was a pastor and rancher. Charles was married to DeLoriese Knox of Tyler, Texas and later to Lois (Stevenson) Caldwell of Alliance, NE; both of whom preceded him in death. His sons, Matthew, Jay and Mike Larsen, and daughter, Sandra Larsen Neal are from those marriages. Chuck found his heart’s desire in helping people, first as a teacher in Nebraska and Washington and later as a counselor. Following service in the Army in the South Pacific and Japan at the end of WWII, he attended Doane College, graduating in 1951. His desire to help people led to graduate study at the University of Wyoming where he received a masters and a doctorate in 1963. Dr. Larsen developed a Center of Counseling Services and served as Director at both Oklahoma State University and later South Dakota State University. During his later years of university work, Chuck served as International Student Adviser at South Dakota State from which he took early retirement in 1986. When he moved to Fort Collins, he was determined to find a church home; something which he regretted neglecting in South Dakota. On January 31, 1989, Charles and Mary Jo Reeds were married and they began a new and rewarding life of ministering to men and women who needed them. His desire to help people was fulfilled more than he ever dreamed possible when, with Mary Jo, he helped people grow both personally and spiritually. As a Christian counselor, his life took on new purpose and meaning and he became especially devoted to helping men discover “whose” they are. Charlie is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; his son, Matt; his daughter, Sandra; one brother, Bill; sisters, Eleanor and Mary; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Roland; his first two wives, DeLoriese and Lois; and two sons, Jay and Mike. A memorial service in celebration of Chuck’s life and God’s grace will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, December 18th at Drake Road Christian Church, 608 East Drake Rd., Ft. Collins. His cremated remains will be place in the Legett Legacy Garden Columbarium at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. The family would prefer that any memorial donations please be made to the YMCA of the Rockies; any Veteran’s organization or Drake Road Christian Church in care of Goes Funeral Care, 365 Canal Dr., #E, Ft. Collins, CO 80524.

Dr. Charles E. Larsen

May 25, 1926 - December 14, 2014