Memorial

Eugene L. (Gene) Larson, 86, of Deerfield Community, formerly of Cedar Rapids, IA, passed away on April 4, 2019, in Iowa Methodist Hospital, Des Moines, IA. Funeral Service will be held at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1340 3rd Avenue, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 on April 16th at 11:00AM. Visitation in the parlors from 9:30 to 10:30AM. 

Gene is survived by his wife of 59 years, Janet C.; their two sons, Jeffrey (Lisa) Larson of Des Moines and Steven (Jodi) Larson of Richmond, VA; three grandchildren, Matthew, Anna, and Jacob. He is preceded in death by his parents, son, Greg, and his brother and sister.

Eugene Louis Larson, the son of Carl and Marie (Shodeen) Larson, was born March 21, 1933 in Stanton, IA. He graduated from the Stanton High School in 1951 and later graduated from Iowa State University, after serving two years in the United States Army. Gene married Janet Foltz of Wichita, KS in 1960, settling in Cedar Rapids, IA in 1961.

Gene spent 35 years working in the commercial construction industry. Starting at Loomis Bros, and later co-owner of Larson & Unzeitig Construction Company, and finally as President of Gene Larson, Inc Construction Company. He retired in 1995.

The couple spent winters in Sun City West, AZ, enjoying the warm weather, new friends, golf, and fishing. Gene loved to hunt and fish. An annual Canadian fishing trip with his sons and grandsons was a tradition for almost 40 years. Another special tradition was hunting pheasants the opening weekends in Iowa and South Dakota. Gene was a gracious host to many friends on many hunting and fishing trips, making sure they had an enjoyable experience.

Gene was a conservation enthusiast, holding lifetime memberships in Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the National Turkey Federation. He was also a life member of Iowa State University Alumni Association and a supporter of the Iowa State University Foundation.

Gene held many memberships in civic and professional organizations and was appointed to serve on the Iowa Board of Economic Development for two terms. He was also a member of Rotary International and named a Paul Harris Fellow. Gene served many years on the St. Paul's Building Committee. He was a member of El Kahir Shrine for over 50 years, serving in many ways.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the El Kahir Shrine Transportation Fund, 905 Tower Terrace Road, Hiawatha, IA 52233, or St. Paul's United Methodist Church.