A memorial service for Mark Larsen of Ringsted will be held on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at the Christiansen-Bonnicksen American Legion in Ringsted, Iowa with Pastor Kent Madison officiating. A visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until the time of the service on Monday.
Mark Richard Larsen was born Dec. 17, 1952, in Sioux City, Iowa. His parents, Harold R. and Thelma (Miller) Larsen welcomed him into their hearts and to their rural Ringsted home on Feb. 17, 1953. A sister, Roslyn, joined them several years later. Mark was a baptized and confirmed member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Ringsted. He currently attended First Presbyterian Church, Ringsted. He graduated from Ringsted High School in 1971 and served two years in the United States Air Force. Following military service, he returned to Ringsted to farm with his parents.
On June 15, 1974, he wed Anita K. Anderson at the Terril United Methodist Church. They spent fifty-two years together living in a community they both loved, raising four children, Jessica, Andrea, Nickolas and Alexander on a farm place they called home.
Mark served as past Commander of the Christiansen-Bonnicksen Legion Post #382 and also on the boards of the Armstrong-Ringsted Community School, Emmet County Soybean Association, and St. John’s Lutheran Church. He was a member of Ringsted Community Action Club and Danish American Fellowship. On September 15, 2018, Mark was proud to travel on the 17th Vietnam-era Honor Flight trip to Washington, DC. Mark was proud of the Larsen’s Danish roots. He made lifelong friends with visitors from Ringsted, Denmark during the town’s 1999 Centennial, and connected with family members living in Denmark. He and Anita were fortunate to visit Denmark in 2007 and again in 2010, staying with family and friends. On July 24, 2017, Mark received the gift of life through organ donation. Following a three-month recuperation at the Gift of Life House in Rochester, Minnesota, Mark returned home to farm for two years before retiring. Mark’s transplanted heart provided him with over nine more years of life with his family. Many thanks go to the heart transplant team at Mayo Clinic for their expertise and care. The greatest thanks go to a 19-year-old young man and his donor family for saying “yes” to organ transplantation.
On September 26, 2026, Mark Larsen passed away at his rural home lovingly surrounded by his wife and children. He is survived by his wife, Anita; children Jessica (James) Rankin; Annie (Jeff) Manwarren, Nick (Amy) Larsen, and Alex Larsen. He will be missed by his six grandchildren, Hunter Sanders, Madison Manwarren, Jacob Manwarren, Malori Larsen, Molli Larsen and Ryan Larsen and great grandson, Zayden Manwarren. A great granddaughter will arrive next spring. Roslyn (Jay) Gunderson is a surviving sister along with sisters-in- law Karen Swanson, Sherry (Dennis) Gjerde; Jean Anderson. Mark was blessed with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.
Mark Larsen was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law, Abe and Maxine Anderson, three brothers in law, one sister-in-law, one niece, two nephews, and beloved aunts and uncles.
Memorials may be directed to the Rochester, Minnesota Gift of Life House, Iowa Donate Life, or Ringsted American Legion.
Please consider organ donation.
Military Honors will be provided by the Christiansen-Bonnicksen American Legion Post. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com. Henry-Olson Funeral Home of Armstrong is assisting the family with services.
