Keith D. Larsen

Keith Duane Larsen, age 73, of Rochester passed away unexpectedly at Mayo Clinic Hospital St. Marys Campus on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. A Celebration of Keiths life will be held on Thursday, November 10 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home. Guests are encouraged to bring a memory of Keith to share at a memory time to be held between 5:30 and 6:30. Keith was born on March 10, 1943 in Minot, North Dakota to Leroy and Lucille (Allers) Larsen. Keith graduated from Moorhead High School in 1961. He earned a basketball scholarship to Concordia College in Moorhead where he majored in biology. He was an outstanding basketball player and also ran track where he broke the standing MIAC record time in the high hurdles. Keith enjoyed his experience at Concordia and proudly wore his Cobber ring throughout his life. He graduated from Concordia in 1965. He received his Master of Science degree in educational psychology from Winona State University in 1971. After graduation, Keith taught science in Kapak, Michigan for a year and then at Lincoln High School in Lake City for three years before choosing a career as a sales rep for Kraft Foods. Through his work, he and his wife Karen enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Hilton Head Island and Puerto Rico. On August 17, 1968 Keith married the love of his life, Karen Kay Brandhorst and they shared a remarkable forty-eight-year adventure. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Karen, sisters Patricia (John) Miller and Mardi (Ronn) Overland, sisters-in-law Betty Buswell, Marcia (Marcel) Kulas, Sandra (Mark) Bestul, Peggy (Steve) Erwin as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Keith was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Joyce Barkus and Detta Nelson, brother Kenneth, niece Patty, nephew David and his parents-in-law Frederick and Ruth Brandhorst. Keith loved sparring over politics whether with his daily coffee pals, Dick, Craig, and Jerry, at the YMCA steam room, on the phone with Garon, or with anyone whom he could engage in argument. He was a lifetime member of the NRA and the Pine Island White Pines Gun Club where he enjoyed trapshooting. For many years, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and boating. He always had time for his nephews and nieces who truly loved their Uncle Keith and taught them to catch and clean fish. A special place in his life was his cabin near Siren, Wisconsin. He especially loved his playdates with his three little buddies, Avery, Leo, and Jake. Keith will be dearly missed and remembered as a kindhearted, gentle caring friend to many. Keiths family thanks the medical personnel and all who cared for Keith at St. Marys 6B ICU. Their devoted and kind care was exceptional. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials directed to the Bohris Valley Cemetery, a small country cemetery near Karens family home where Keith will rest, to Concordia College in Moorhead or a charity of their choice. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901 (507) 289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com