Earl Larson Jr.

MADISON - Earl Larson Jr., age 89, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, at the UW Hospital in Madison, Wis. He was born on Aug. 31, 1932, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, the son of the late, Earl L. Larson and Anga “Angie” (Mikkelson) Larson. Earl graduated from Madison East High School in 1950. He served in Korea during the Korean War and was in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill which was one of the biggest battles. (Actor, Gregory Peck, starred in the movie entitled Porkchop Hill). He was with the U.S. Army's second Division, 12th Field Artillery Battalion. Earl attended the University of Florida, Gainesville for two years and graduated from the UW-Madison with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He married Delores Ruth Williams in 1962. She preceded him in death in 1984. Earl was employed with the office of the Commissioner of Insurance State Department of Wisconsin, an officer of a mortgage guarantee insurance company, Continental Mortgage Insurance, and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Appellate Bureau. Earl was a past member of the Eastside Club and the Elks Club in Madison. While living in Hendersonville, N.C., he was a member of the Hendersonville Civitan Club. He was a member of the Civitan International which aided people with mental and physical disabilities and individuals in the Special Olympics. Earl enjoyed history, reading, travel, bridge, ballroom dancing and theatre. In 1986, Earl and Eleanor Ann (Spoon) Smith were married. This was a joyous day for both of them and for all the days that followed. Earl and Ann retired to Hendersonville, where they resided for 11 years. Because of Ann's declining health, in May of 2005, they moved to Meadowmere Assisted Living Apartments in Kenosha, Wis., where they could be closer to Ann’s daughter, Jennifer Jackson. In December of 2006, Earl moved to Oakwood Village University Woods in Madison. Ann preceded him in death in 2006. Earl is survived by his son, Karl Larson; daughter, Jaynie Larson; brother, Dennis (Barbara) Larson; three- stepdaughters, Cecily “CeCe” Smith, Sarah Haselschwardt and Jennifer (Jon) Jackson; and grandchildren, Thomas Larson, Charlie Larson, Sally Haselschwardt, Scotty (Sarah) Haselschwardt, Gavin Jackson and Abigail Jackson. Earl was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Duane; and son-in-law, Scott Haselschwardt. A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorials made be gifted in Earl's name to Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, WI 53703, Oakwood Foundation, 6209 Mineral Point Road, Suite No. 200, Madison, WI 53705, or to the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420