Karl Gustave Adrian Larson

Karl Gustave Adrian Larson, 80, of Aspen, Colo. went home to God in eternal life on March 4, 2012 in Palm Springs, Calif.

Loving husband, father and grandfather, Karl was the ultimate dedicated family man. He was born Jan. 11, 1932 in Madison, Wis. to Gustave and Mildred Larson and married to Madeleine Larson on Dec. 15, 1962 in Milwaukee, Wis.

He was president, CEO and then chairman of the Gustave A. Larson Company (www.galarson.com) from 1960 until 2012. Before that, Karl actively served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 until 1960, where he achieved the rank of lieutenant commander when he retired from the Naval Reserve in 1978.

Karl is survived by his wife, M. Madeleine Larson of Aspen, Colo.; sons Arne G. Larson (Donna) of San Antonio, Texas, Andrew G. Larson (Amy) of Boulder, Colo. and Scott Karl Larson (Antonella) of Milwaukee, Wis. His legacy will also live on through his grandchildren, Lindsay and Kelsey (Arne and Donna), Kyle, Julia, Connor, and Tyler (Andrew and Amy), and Stephanie, Samantha and Silvia (Scott and Antonella).

Karl was very engaged in charitable and industry boards, being on the board of the Milwaukee Ballet, University of Colorado (CU) Engineering School board, deacon at First Congregational Church and NHRAW past president. He was also very supportive of medical research at the Cleveland Clinic, National Jewish in Denver and CU Children’s Hospital.

He was an outdoorsman and motorsports enthusiast, among them snow skiing, biking, golf, climbing and vintage car racing. His major accomplishments include being a varsity ski team letterman at CU, completing many major ski marathons such as the Vasaloppet in Sweden and Birkebeiner in Norway and the U.S., and climbing Capitol Peak in Colorado.

A memorial service to celebrate Karl’s life will be at 1 p.m. PST Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, Calif. Future memorial services will be held in Aspen, Colo. and Milwaukee, Wis. (dates and times to be determined).

Fitzhenry-Wiefels (www.FitzHenryWiefels.com) of Palm Desert, Calif. is in charge of funeral arrangements. Contact James FitzHenry at 760-347-2265, fitzhenrywiefels@gmail.com for more information.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Homes for Our Troops. Donations in his memory can be made in the following ways:

• Credit Card (online): Go to http://www.homesforourtroops.org Click on “Make A Donation” then click “Honor/Memorial Donation” choose “In Memory of” and complete the additional gift and payment information. Skip the recipient info; HFOT has been provided with the name and address to send acknowledgments.

• Credit Card (by phone): Contact Melanie Auger at 508-823-3300 (ext. 223) or 1-866-7-TROOPS(876677).

• Check: Send gifts to Homes For Our Troops, 6 Main St. Taunton, MA 02780. Be sure to include a note or memo requesting the donation be made in his memory.