David A Larson, 82, of Austin, died Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, at St. Mary’s Hospital.

He was born April 14, 1929, in South St. Paul to Louis and Thelma (Brunson) Larson. He grew up in South Saint Paul where he graduated from high school. He subsequently received a degree from The University of Minnesota. In 1952, after serving in the Army, he moved to Austin and began working at Geo. A. Hormel Co. On May 29, 1954, he married Patricia Salmon of Claremont. He worked at Hormel for 39 years, retiring from the Human Resources Department in 1991. His retirement years were spent traveling with Pat throughout the U.S. and numerous foreign countries, experiencing the world’s wonderful lands.

Dave enjoyed activities with his many friends, including fishing trips to Canada and South America, and golfing at the Austin Country Club. His beloved grandchildren brought him much joy as he actively shared in their lives and watched them participate in school and sports activities. He was a fan of spectator sports and closely followed University of Minnesota athletics, Twins baseball, Vikings football and Wild hockey.

Survivors include his wife, Pat; sons, Doug (Kathy) Larson, St. Michael; Jeff (Debbie), Mannford, Okla.; Steve (Rhonda), Mantorville; six grandchildren, Sarah, Austin, Lindsey, Ryne, Brady, and Nickolas); three step-grandchildren (Audrey Jones, Danny Morall, and Darcey Shepard; brother, Lewis, Carrollton, Ga.; sister-in-law, Joan Salmon of Tucson, Ariz.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and son, Terry.

A memorial mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating. There will be a 6:30 p.m. wake service on Friday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. The family will also greet friends at a luncheon at the Hormel Historic Home following the service. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Hormel Institute for Cancer Research or donor’s choice.