At home, surrounded by his family, Robert “Bob” Larson, 73, of Clear Lake left our world but not our hearts on November 27, 2024. Bob was born in Charles City, Iowa to Wayne and Betty (Elizabeth Esser) on May 24, 1951.

Bob graduated from Sheffield-Chapin high school in 1969. He married the love of his life, Marcia (Behnke) of Greene, Iowa, during a blizzard on January 29, 1971. He was drafted into the Army May 24, 1971 and was stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany until spring of 1973 when he returned to the states to help his father-in-law on the family farm before attending North Iowa Area Community College, where he received a Building Trades diploma.

Bob and Marcia called Dougherty, Iowa home for 49 years. Here they raised their two children, Jamie and Tony. For several years, he managed co-ops in Dougherty, Nashua, and Cambridge, MN before transitioning to Seabee Corporation in Hampton and finally retiring from Kraft Foods in 2017.

Bob and Marcia built their forever home and moved to Clear Lake in 2020. ‘The Shed’ quickly became the hangout for all; both young and old. There were many parties, fish frys, shrimp boils, team football dinners and film watches, and quiet nights with friends but one thing was for sure, the beverage fridge was full and you can bet there was always a tumbler full of Black Velvet on the rocks.

An avid outdoorsman, Bob loved hunting and fishing. Deer hunting in Clermont, IA and pheasant hunting in the Dougherty area fostered lifelong friendships and countless stories but fishing was his love. He looked forward to their annual Pine Point Resort Canadian fishing trips for more than 40 years. He knew the waters of Lac des Mille Lacs well, well, except for ‘Marcia Was Right Rock’! Bob and Marcia spent hours in the boat over the years with their kids, grandkids, extended family and some of their best friends. Marcia almost always out fished him and he was quick to brag about her fishing skills, even telling a friend who recently asked for one fishing tip, to ‘just take Marcia with you’.

Bob will forever be known as a friend to everyone. If you knew him at all, you know he was selfless even in his last days. He was patient, generous and kind. He was a man of few words but he was always willing to share a drink and lend an ear to anyone who needed it. He loved his wife and kids but his grandkids were his pride and joy. He hunted and fished with them. He was always happiest when one of them got the deer or the fish instead of him. He looked forward to attending all of their sporting events including football, baseball, track, wrestling and a little soccer. He even allowed hair styling and fingernail painting.

Bob is survived by Marcia, his wife of 53 years, his daughter Jamie (Matt) Brinkman of Council Bluffs, his son Tony (Becky) Larson of Clear Lake, his grandchildren, Dylan (Alex) Frascht, Mason & Mitchell (Abbey) Brinkman, Max, Gage, and Drake Larson, Gabriela & Mateo Gonzalez; his great-grandchildren, Beckett and Fynlee Frascht, Ryker Brinkman, and Callan Brinkman; his father Wayne Larson of Sheffield; his siblings Karen(Ray) Clark, Karla (Bob) Bradley, Randy (Kacy) Larson, his brothers-in-law Clayton Behnke and Michael (Terri) Behnke; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and many special friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his granddaughter Cole Lexus Larson, his mother Betty Larson, his brother Rick Larson, and his sister-in-law Cora Behnke.

Bob requested no services. There will be a celebration of his life at a later time.

I’ll Be Fishing

I know you’ll be missing me,

But where I’m headed, the fish will always be.

I know there’ll be days the tears won’t stop,

But remember, here I’ll find the perfect walleye chop.

Here there’ll be no mayfly hatch and the skies are always blue.

Every time my line goes tight, you can bet I’ll think of all of you.

Slow down and watch for signs.

When you toss that gold hammered spinner and crawler over the side,

It might just be me tugging on your lines.

When I’m done sharing all your hugs and kisses with those you’ve been missing,

I’m gonna put on my ole Pine Point hat and head out fishing.

Until you join me one by one, I’ve got my boat, lures, and favorite pole.

Now I’m heading out to that endless fishing hole.