Wallace Lyndon Larson

Wallace Lyndon Larson, age 81, of St. Peter, passed away with his family by his side Monday, October 7, 2024.

A private service with military honors and internment at Scandian Grove Lutheran Church will be held for immediate family with Pastor Matthew Garavalia officiating.

The family is honoring Wallace’s wishes. He wanted a private family service; for us not to wear black and to have a party in his honor.

A Celebration of Life party for Wallace will be held at Scandian Grove Lutheran Church in Norseland (42869 County Road 52, St. Peter, MN 56082) from 1-4pm, Saturday, October 19, 2024. We are celebrating his life with a meal and his fondness for chocolate chip cookies. 

Wallace was born on December 4, 1942, in New Ulm, MN to Einar and Ruby Larson.

Wallace was united in marriage to Kazuko on November 30th, 1965, at the United States Embassy in Sapporo, Hokkaido Japan.

Wallace rode his bike to Country School in New Sweden Township through the sixth grade, and then attended Gaylord Public School, graduating from Gaylord High School in 1960.

Wallace was confirmed in his Lutheran Faith at Scandian Grove Lutheran Church in Norseland, MN, remaining an active lifelong member. 

After graduating high school Wallace enlisted in the United States Army in November 1962. Wallace served active-duty service through August 1965, followed by time in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was awarded certificates of achievement in Expert Rifle and Sharpshooter, to which the squirrels in his yard will attest to.

Wallace lived with his family and farmed with Einar on their farm in New Sweden for many years. Always curious and willing to learn new things, later in life Wallce went back to school, obtained a degree in Metrology and moved with Kazuko to Connecticut to begin a career with Hoffman Engineering where he focused on developing technical solutions for measuring light and luminance calibration test equipment used in military, automotive and aerospace applications.

Wallace had numerous interests in life; he loved farming the land and raising pigs, raising and showing his Grand Champion Poland China hogs while a 4H’er in his youth, reading all types of books and keeping up with current events by reading the New York Times and the Minneapolis Star Tribune daily. Everyone knows Wallace was passionate about his gardens and flowers; from fall planting bulbs to spending the winter planning and spring planting, followed by tending his gardens side by side with Kazuko all summer long.

His interests extended to many things including history, architecture, and the arts. He enjoyed travelling with family to see and experience things firsthand by visiting these historic places, attending Broadway shows, and experiencing diverse cultures.

And without a doubt, Wallace enjoyed fishing with his friends and grandkids whenever he had the opportunity to do so. There might even have been an “excused absence” day or two that was called in for a kid because the fish were biting….

Wallace had an imagination as well; he and his sister Janice used to sneak eggs from the hen house, mixing them with mud and hog feed pretending to make pies. Delicious.

Wallace was a leader, thoughtful, generous, and kind. He had a beautiful voice, had a quick wit and paired that with a great sense of humor. There are family stories about Wallace knocking icicles off the porch roof onto an unsuspecting sister, the usual sibling squabbles, and adventures of Wallace and his extreme driving adventures gone wrong involving his friend’s cars…

But more than anything else in this world, Wallace loves Kazuko beyond any words we can describe here. He loves his family, and his interest was always for spending time with and taking care of Kazuko and his family. He was extremely proud of Andrew, his talents, and his business. Often pointing out “Andy made that” to those admiring Andy’s creativity. He loved supporting both Debbie and Andy as he watched them grow up, marry, start families, and set out into the world to create their own stories. Whether it was going to a baseball or volleyball game, a Saints game, sweating it out at a swim meet, or watching his grandkids show livestock at various fairs, Wallace was always there in the bleachers or at ringside supporting them with pride.

Wallace is survived by his beloved wife Kazuko; his sister, Janice Ebeling (Les); his children, Deborah (Anton) and Andrew (Rick); his grandchildren, Maxwell, Nicolas (Zena), Thaine, Anica, and Kael; and will be missed by his many nieces, nephews, and close friends. 

Gather with us to reminisce, share a story with family and friends, share a meal and enjoy a chocolate chip cookie!

The Family thanks you for being here to celebrate Wallace’s life with us.

If inclined, feel free to make a contribution to a charity of your choice in remembrance of Wallace.