Orlin C. Larson

Orlin Carlyle Larson, 84, of Rochester, MN, passed away on August 11, 2017 at The Waters of Rochester. Orlin was born on December 28, 1932 in Mabel, MN to Emil and Ruth (Treangen) Larson. He graduated from Mabel High School and Winona Business College. Orlin was the first person from Mabel to attend Boys State. He married Shirley Stroud, the love of his life, on October 2, 1954 in Mabel, MN. He passed his CPA exam in 1956 and worked for an accounting firm in Austin, MN. A few years later, Richard Smith and Orlin went into practice in Rochester, MN. Orlin was a founding partner of Smith Schafer Associates, which is one of the largest CPA firms in Minnesota. In 1977, Orlin was employed by Blue Earth Rendering Company as CFO, partner and board member. Throughout his business life, Orlin was very active in civic and nonprofit activities while in Austin, Rochester and Blue Earth. While in Austin, he served as a board member of the Red Cross, YMCA and Jaycees. While in Rochester, Orlin was named Boss of the Year by the Rochester Jaycees. He was past president and board member of Youth Employment Project, Inc., board member of the Exchange Club, member of the United Way, and past president and member of the Lions Club. While in Blue Earth, Orlin was president and board member of E.D.A., St. Lukes Foundation, and Lakeview United Methodist Home. He was also on the board of Blue Earth State Bank. He was a Kiwanis Club member and treasurer of the Minnesota Region of the National Association of Accountants. Orlin was active in various positions within the Methodist churches of Austin, Rochester, and Blue Earth. Orlin and Shirley enjoyed their travels to Europe and all the states in the USA. They spent the last twenty years wintering in Arizona. Orlin loved sports and games. Orlins favorite trips were to see the St. Louis Cardinals and great trips to Canada for fishing. He enjoyed golf, tennis, softball, pool, and time with his family. Board and card games were right up his alley. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; children, Brenda (Harry Johnson) Larson of Bovey, MN, Karen (Mark) Byer of Rochester, MN, Kent (Leah) Larson of Maple Grove, MN, and Janeen (Joseph) Steffel of Minnetonka, MN; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Eldon Larson of Bloomington, MN, Neil Larson of Greenwood, Indiana; two sisters, Joan (Steve) Eynard of The Villages, FL, and Judy (Lawrence) Freuchte of Caledonia, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Duane Larson, one grandson Kristof Zweifel, and one great-granddaughter Kylie Byer. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service, on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at Evangel United Methodist Church 2645 N. Bdwy Rochester, MN. Visitation will also be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery Rochester, MN.