Walter “Chubs” Larson, 91, of Greendale, WI and Elmhurst, IL passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 6th, 2024 in Rochester, MN where he had been living for the past 3 years with family.
Walt was born in June 1932 at home in Elizabeth, NJ to Harry and Hilda Larson. The family then moved to Greendale, WI where he grew up and graduated from Greendale High School in 1950. He then attended North Central College in Naperville, IL in 1950 and graduated in 1954. While there he anchored the offensive line as a center, plus he was also the team’s placekicker and was voted to the All-Century team as one of the top 100 players in the first 100 years of the football program.
Walt met the love of his life, Donna while attending college and they were married in June 1954. He entered into the service of the US Army in 1954 and proudly served his country until his honorable discharge in 1956.
Walt and Donna moved to Elmhurst, IL in 1956 where they purchased a home, raised 3 sons and celebrated 69 years of marriage together. Walt worked as a manager for Western Electric, which later became AT&T in the Chicago area until he retired in 1988.
Walt loved playing golf, fishing, officiating high school basketball and football games, attending their church, playing handball with the guys and especially spending time with his family on vacations to Nestor Falls, Ontario. Walt and Donna took these family trips to Nestor Falls for more than 65 years and gave everyone an appreciation of the outdoors and enjoying everything it offered. Walt loved his family deeply and always made time to be with his three sons, grandchildren and most recently great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Hilda Larson, his brother Harry Larson and his sister Evelyn Truppe. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Donna Larson, son Dave (Susan) Larson, son Dan (Kathy) Larson, son Jon (Shelly) Larson. 7 grandchildren – Greg Larson, Kevin Larson, Mike (Jesse) Larson, Ryan (Madison) Larson, Zach (Amanda) Larson, Becca Larson and Katie Larson and 3 great-grandchildren – Noah Larson, Levi Larson and Henry Larson.
A celebration of life and memorial service will take place in Elmhurst, IL at 1:00 pm at the Faith Church of Elmhurst on the corner of North Ave. and York Rd. on May 11th, 2024.
