FITCHBURG - Erling David Larsen, age 85, of Fitchburg, passed away peacefully at Agrace HospiceCare on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, after spending his last days with family and friends. He was born on May 12, 1940, in Tracy, Minn., to Ulrik and Helen (Oscarson) Larsen.

He grew up on a farm in Minnesota as the ninth out of 10 children and the son of a Lutheran pastor. Sundays were spent travelling with his family to four church services that his father preached, including two in Norwegian. He graduated from Fosston High School in 1958 and joined the United States Air Force Security Service (USAFSS), a secretive branch of the Air Force tasked with monitoring and interpreting military signals of countries of interest. He was honorably discharged in 1964 and started a new career driving semi-trucks. That same year, he was in a severe car accident which would lead to a two-year hospitalization. In 1966 he was finally well enough to begin college and enrolled at UW-La Crosse.

He met the love of his life, Carol Kaepernick, at UW-La Crosse, and the two were wed on August 10, 1968, in Waukesha, Wis. They celebrated 53 wedding anniversaries together before her passing in 2022.

David graduated from UW-La Crosse in 1968 with degrees in history and political science. He and Carol moved to Madison where David would start a long career with the State of Wisconsin government. His roles included Legislative Analyst for the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Executive Director of the Governor’s Commission on State-Local Relations and Financing Policy under the Thompson administration, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Budget Analyst for the Bureau of Quality Compliance in the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services, and finally as Division Administrator of the Division of Administration for the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. He retired in 2007, when he and Carol would transition their focus to helping care for their grandchildren.

David loved to talk with people but he was also known to be a bit stubborn at times (if you know David well you are likely smiling right now). He loved his fishing trips with good friends, and his golf league. He and Carol were season ticket holders for UW football and basketball for over 50 years and loved cheering on the Badgers. They had so many good memories tailgating and attending games with friends and family. They disagreed when it came to NFL football and led a divided family with Carol cheering on the Packers and David being a staunch Vikings fan. They travelled the world with their good friends, Barb and Del Vanderploeg. They were members of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Verona, and loved their church family, who provided David immense support in the last three years after Carol’s passing.

Above all, David loved his people. He was a loyal friend. He taught his kids that you show up for those you love, and that your word has meaning. He supported his children in all of their dreams. He was always there at their sports and school events. He loved his grandchildren and was so proud to watch them grow.

David is survived by his children, Kristofer (Emily) Larsen and Emily (Brian) Porter; as well as his four grandchildren, Maxwell and Teagan Larsen and Kendall and Landon Porter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Larsen; his parents; and his nine siblings.

A memorial service will be held at RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH, 6705 Wesner Road, Verona, at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, led by Pastor Paul Schupmann. There will be a visitation at the church starting at 9:30 a.m. There will also be a celebration of life held in the upstairs loft of STONE PORCH ALE HOUSE, 950 Kimball Lane, Verona, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025, where friends and family are invited to share memories and raise a glass to David. Attendees are asked to wear their favorite Badgers, Brewers or Vikings gear to honor David’s love of his favorite teams.

Memorials may be gifted in David’s name to Agrace Hospice, St. Mary’s Foundation, or UW Athletics. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital and Agrace Hospice for making David’s last days comfortable. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608) 442-5002

E. David Larsen

May 12, 1940 - May 20, 2025

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