Kenneth Larson

With deepest sympathy from your friends and extended family at Hebl & Hebl and Cardinal Title

My oldest son, Mat, joined Troop 132 in 1986. Although not the Scoutmaster at the time, Ken was still very involved in the Troop. I had the highest respect for Ken and his knowledge of Scouting ways and I learned allot from his wisdom. I recall one overnight outing at Token Creek Park where Ken and I were walking on a moonless night. Ken refused to use a flashlight and advised to just let your eyes get used to the dark to find your way. I still think about his advice to this day as I’m still Scouting with my grandkids. Sorry, Ken I cheat and use a flashlight every now and then, but I remember that conversation of some 30+ years ago. RIP old friend.

I met Ken at a scout event in Baraboo. He was displaying his work there. He invited me to call him to learn more. I called shortly after that and he invited me over. Ken started by teaching me how to make a beaded neck bolo. From there he challenged me with creating a beaded medallion. Then I was introduced to the form of beadwork he was best known for. That is beadwork done on a heddle loom. He talked to me about John Lotter the person responsible for bringing back the heddle loom. I met with Ken many times over the years. At times we talked beadwork. Other times it was talk about scouts or his time in the Navy. Besides learning the beading skills, Ken also introduced me to places and people. Ken introduced me to Parson's Trading Post. He was very good at talking to people as they stopped to look. I learned a lot by listening. Ken introduced me to a Native American Workshop focused mostly on scouts. Now it is my turn to teach when the workshops are held. Ken talked to me many times about his experiences at the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC). This event is held about every 4 years. Ken attended many times and encouraged me to go. For the 2018 NOAC, I was accepted as staff to help teach heddle loom beadwork. I met many other staffers who knew and remembered Ken. There were two patterns that Ken made and gave to many people. He told me that he made about 120 beaded OA sashes. He would tell of how strong these sashes were. He said that you could tie one around the bumper of vehicle and you could pull a vehicle with it. He had a native american pattern for the Apostle's Creed. He made and gave away many of them. One was always hanging in his living room window. Ken loved a challenge. If someone told him that you couldn't do something, he took that as a challenge. I remember him telling me about making a project with two heddle looms at 90 degrees to each other. One loom did the breach cloth and the other did the belt. As I reflect on Ken's life, I realize how much my life was changed by meeting him. I do a lot of beadwork now. I teach when I can. He showed me a new way to approach life. Ken told me that he never sold any of his beadwork. In honor of Ken, I have followed and will continue to follow that tradition and have not sold any of my beadwork. Ken I will remember you always.

our deepest sympathies - Donna and Greg Marconnet and family

I am so thankful for this moment with his great grandchildren Kenny and Isabeau. He was playful that day, and it was a blessing for them to be able to share some time together.