Clifford Larson Jr., 83

Clifford “Roy” Leroy Larson Jr., 83, Detroit Lakes, died December 27, 2012 at Essentia Health – St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes.

Clifford was born April 10, 1929 in rural Hewitt to Clifford and Clarice Chaffee Larson. He attended country school through the eighth grade and then St. Cloud Tech High School for a short time before finishing high school in Wadena. He then attended the Fargo Business College.

His first job after college was with the Citizens State Bank (Bremer) in Brandon. He quickly rose through the ranks and at the age of 24 became the bank president. At that time he was believed to be the youngest bank president in the country.

On August 9, 1955, he was united in marriage to Kay Handke in Mason City, Iowa. They made their home in Brandon until 1975, when Roy took the job of bank president at the Bremer Bank in Detroit Lakes. He served as president until his retirement in 1994.

Roy was active in the Detroit Lakes community through Bremer Bank. He worked on many community projects over the years and was very proud of the Detroit Lakes Community Foundation, which he was instrumental in starting. Roy also enjoyed golfing, fishing, trap shooting and bird watching.

He is survived by his wife, Kay; one daughter, Alexa (Thomas) Thorisch, of Omasso, OK; two sons, Mark Larson, of Portland, OR; and Brooks (Lisa) Larson, of Detroit Lakes; four grandchildren, Katie Thorisch and Naomi, Emily and Abigail Larson; and one brother, Bruce Larson, of Brooklyn Park.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, James Larson; and an infant sister.

Memorial services were held Thursday, January 3 at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes.

Those wanting to share memories and condolences may use the messages of sympathy section at www.westkjos.com.

Arrangements are with West-Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes.

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