Norman "Red" Larsen

Norman (Red) Larsen, 95, of Atlantic, Iowa passed away April 18, 2024 at the Heritage
House.

He was born August 13,1928 in Exira, Iowa to Raymond and Zeta Cue Larsen. In his early years Norman lived on a farm south of Anita, Iowa. The family later moved to Anita where Red attended Anita schools and graduated in the Anita class of 1949. As a young man he was involved in Baseball, Football and even with his small stature was quite the fiery Basketball player, thereby earning him the nickname, Red the Spitfire from Anita!

Red married Ramona Cordes on August 2,1949 in Clarinda, Iowa. They lived a short time in Anita, before moving to Atlantic, where they resided the rest of their lives. Early on he worked for Burke Brothers and McDermott Roofing. Red was very proud ( as we all were) of his distinguished 40+ year career, recognized in 1993 as the employee with the longest employment with Walnut Grove Products. Job well done!

He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, serving several years as a member of the property committee.

Red was a founding member and helped with the creation of the Nishna Hills Golf Course in Atlantic. Red and Ramona loved to golf. They were involved in the social aspect at Nishna Hills and they especially cherished the time spent with their great life long golf buddies. Red was lucky enough/skilled aplenty to accomplish two Hole in Ones in his life time! One at Nishna Hills and one in Arizona at one of his favorite courses.

He enjoyed spending hours in his woodworking shop, building many cabinets, stands, frames, cutting boards and other requests. He was quite the carpenter.

Red was an excellent driver and explored many backroad routes, traveling the country with Ramona, singing “We’ve Been Everywhere Man”. They spent many summers going back and forth to Colorado to enjoy time with their life long friends, Ross and Corline Henderson and family. Together they migrated to Venture Out winter quarters in Mesa, Arizona. One of Reds favorite pastimes was to spend time on his deck. Soon after retiring he became very good at it! He loved a good cup of coffee, a good round of golf, a sunny front patio and his backyard deck.

Red moved into Heritage House in 2021. It was amazing watching him reconnect with many Anita friends, the ability to know and recall all the Atlantic people and their life stories and the ease in which he made new friends. He especially enjoyed the many activities, hot coffee and ice cream, the gym workouts, breakfast on the deck (sausage), road trip get aways (farms and Pella), and bingo/trivia (stacks of Bingo Bucks).

Red was preceded in death by his parents; step father, Cecil Denney; parents-in-law, Richard and Wilhelmina (Minnie) Cordes; his wife Ramona; daughter-in law, Carolyn; brothers, Raymond, James, and infant Clifford Larsen; half brother, Cecil Denney, a half sister Hilda Denney; brothers-in-law, Richard Cordes, Albert Huhnerkopf.

He is survived by his two children, Rickey Larsen and Debra (Brian) Barlow; a granddaughter, Kimberly (Ron) Sewald; two great granddaughters Breana Ragnarok, Alissa Sewald; one great-great grandson Zim Ragnarok; sister-in-law, Doris Larsen; brother in law, Alfred (Jeanette) Cordes; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at the Zion Lutheran Church, with Reverend Kyle McBee officiating. The family will greet friends during a luncheon at the church following the service.

Private burial will be at the Atlantic Cemetery in Atlantic, IA.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Zion Lutheran Church for the Property Committee in
Norman's name. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523,
Atlantic, Iowa 50022.

Services are handled with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic.