Richard Gene "Rich" Larson

Richard “Rich” Larson, a cherished husband to Shelley, father, brother, grandfather, and uncle passed away peacefully from complications due to Parkinson’s in Sioux City, IA on Monday, November 18, 2024, surrounded by his family.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday at 7:00 P.M. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel with Father Craig Collison officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. A private burial will be held in Valley Springs, SD. 

Rich was born July 13, 1946, in Valley Springs, SD, to Orville “Bozo” and Ruth (Wilke) Larson.

Rich grew up in Valley Springs and graduated from Brandon Valley High School in 1964 as class president, Homecoming King, and co-Valedictorian. He was a standout athlete in many sports and to this day, Rich still holds the school record for most points scored in a basketball game. He was later inducted into the BVHS Hall of Fame.

He attended Sioux Falls College where he earned his B.S. in Business Administration and a minor in Economics. He also was a four-year letterman on the basketball team.

After college, Rich entered the United States Army and served honorably from 1970-1971.

Rich worked at John Morrell’s in Sioux Falls, SD before transferring to the Sioux City, IA location as a Controller. He finished out his career at Sioux City Foundry as Controller, until retiring in March of 2021.

Rich’s love for sports carried over into his adulthood, where he played fast pitch softball for Siouxland Sports, Gene’s Tavern, Clear Lake Butt’r Topp, Penn Corp, and the Gateway Soos. He played on two World Championship teams and also was a two-time Masters Fast Pitch All-American.

As an avid sportsman, Rich found great joy in not only playing, but officiating sports. His involvement was not just a hobby, but a way of connecting with his community, youth, and officiating “family.”

Rich’s officiating accolades include being inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Officials Hall of Fame in 2004, where he worked numerous boys’ football and basketball state tournaments and state championships. He also was inducted into the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Hall of Fame as an official for basketball in 2006, and for volleyball in 2018, where he worked numerous girls state tournaments and state championships. Rich was also named the NFOA-Sectional Official of the Year in 1999. He was respected by school officials, coaches, players, and fans alike.

Rich was a mentor and role model for countless officials and youth throughout the Tri-State area. He was respected for his consistency of judgement, calmness of his work, and genuine care of athletes, coaches, and fans. He epitomized the quality of officiating that the game deserves.

Rich enjoyed watching the Los Angeles Dodgers, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Chicago Bears. Some of his other hobbies included golfing, working in the yard, and traveling to Arizona, where he acquired a love of collecting pottery.

Rich was an emotional and passionate man. His passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who loved him, but his spirit of generosity and selflessness with continue to inspire.

Rich leaves behind his loving wife Shelley; son Ryan Larson and daughter: Jazmyn of Sioux Falls, SD; son Kyle (Kristin) Larson and their children: Dylan, Lula and Josie of Cartersville, GA; daughter Morgan (Eric) Brumbaugh and their son: Carson of Sioux Falls, SD; and daughter Ashlee (Manuel) Limon and their children: MJ and Eva of Sioux City, IA. He also leaves behind extended family, including his nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents Orville and Ruth Larson, and sister Nancy (Larson) Rust.

The family would like to thank Holy Spirit Retirement Home and Hospice of the Midwest for Rich’s care.

Memorials in Rich’s memory may be made to the local Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org. 

Honorary Pallbearers will be Terry McMillen, Marlowe Van Ginkel, Royce Ranniger, Joel Oswald, Dave Schonrock, Jack Schroeder, and the late Von Bornholtz and Steven Jansen.

Alternative Honorary Pallbearers are also Manuel Limon, Rod Graves, Brad Graves, Brady Graves, Brody Funk, Bryson Funk, Leonard Funk, Daniel Byrd, Nicholas DeYoung, Dacotah Bills, Wade Nelson, and Quinton Jennings.