Bruce Larson

Bruce Wayne Larson, age 79, of Goodview passed away on Friday September 29, 2023 surrounded by family after a long courageous battle with cancer.

Bruce was born in Winona, MN to Donald and Margaret Larson on September 23, 1944. He was one of 14 children. He married the love of his life, Shirleen, on June 24, 1972 at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. He met Shirleen while living next door to her when they were young. This past June they celebrated a wonderful 51 years of marriage. Together they have 2 children and 7 grandkids. He is survived by his wife Shirleen, Son Kevin (Heather) Larson of Winona, and Daughter Tina (Corey) Goettelman of Winona and Grandchildren Brady (Cody Kleinschmidt), Conner, Griffin, and Ella Larson, and Izzy, Ashlie, and Cheyenne Goettelman. Along with his beloved dachshund Snickers.

Bruce is also survived by his Brothers Bob (Diane) Larson, Gary (Gigi) Larson, and Randy Larson and Sisters Judy Lockwood, Sandy (Bob) Stroinski, Kathy (Bob) Hazelton, Cindy (Roland) Boland, Cheri (Allen Heaser) Tentis, Debby (John) Guenther, Brother-in-law Bob Block, and Sister-in-law Mary Larson along with many, many nieces and nephews on the Larson side. Brother-in laws and Sister-in laws Dick (Kathy) Lande, Linda Kranz, Ron (Sandy) Lande, and Lynette Evanson.

Bruce worked for 50 plus years in the labor intense job of setting cemetery monuments in Iowa and the surrounding area. He knew his way around the entire state of Iowa without a map or any type of GPS. He had a work ethic like no other that he instilled in his kids and his grandkids. He started work when he was just 12 years old working with his Dad through Winona Monument Company then he began working for St. Cloud Sunburst Memorials in 1995 until he retired in 2010. Throughout the years he also set the Veterans Monuments in Winona at the Veterans Park.

One of his favorite past times was working on his well-kept yard and having the most beautiful flowers every spring and summer. He loved going flower shopping in the spring to see what the new types of flowers were and what beautiful color combinations he wanted to create for the new season.

His other favorite past-time was watching his Minnesota Vikings and the Twins along with attending his grandchildren's sporting events. Now he will be watching them all with the best seat in the house from up above! Please cheer loud up there! The Vikes and the Twins need it!

He will also be greatly missed by his wonderful group of friends that he has had since childhood that he loved to visit with, go out to eat with, and years ago make TI trips with. Many years ago, for about 10 years in a row, he and Shirleen would venture to Vegas for a week with their group of friends (Bob & Susie, Jimmy, Greg & Janice, Roger & Laurie and Peg & Jeff) to see the sites, relax, and try to win a few dollars by putting a couple bucks in the machines. Then the desire to see other places set in. From the vacation out east with Ron, Sandy, and Tina, to visiting his brother Dave in Maryland with Gary and Gigi, to spending weeks in the winter at Jeff and Peg's condo, to visiting Doug and Colleen in Arizona there were only 5 states he did not visit.

Those that have passed before: Mother Margaret, Father Donald, Brothers Donnie and Dave, Sisters Donna and Susie, and brother in-laws Norven Lockwood and Pete Tentis, and sister-in-law Karen Larson, his in-laws Shirley (Lande) Nagle, Dorvan (Bud) Lande, Roland Nagle and his dachshund Tiffany

Thank you to ALL the Dr's and Nurses at Rochester Mayo, Winona Health, and Winona Hospice for all your help and wonderful care over the last 3 ½ years. He is at Peace and knows it is time to go where he is no longer in pain and where he can eat and drink whatever and whenever he wants.

Hoff Funeral home will be assisting the family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Sobieski Park Lodge 965 E. 7th St Winona, MN on Sunday October 8th from 6pm-9pm.