Douglas D. Larson

Douglas D. Larson, age 83, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.

A memorial service will be 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton, South Dakota, with Reverend Michael Jordan officiating.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the memorial service on Tuesday at the church.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton.

Douglas D. Larson was born February 18, 1941, in Yankton, South Dakota, to Max and Dorothy (Medeck) Larson.  He grew up in Yankton and graduated from Yankton High School.  As a young boy Doug was always exploring the outdoors and building something with his hands. He enjoyed sledding behind his house and ice skating on the river.  Doug loved his giant metal erector set. He could build anything. His love of building things continued throughout his life. He learned from his dad Max how to fabricate metal.  He built a tin man, and even a metal fishing boat while in high school. He then went on to study at the South Dakota School of Mines and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He moved to San Francisco, California for a few years and later returned to Yankton to take over Larson Brothers Heating & Cooling from his father.  He then went to work for the City of Yankton and the City Planner for a few years and then at Gateway in Sioux City, Iowa.  Doug was also talented enough to build two of his family’s homes in his lifetime. He married Linda Rindahl Koch on September 14, 2002.

Doug loved everything about the Missouri River. He enjoyed water skiing, fishing and living on the river. Because Doug loved the river so much, he had a dream to build a mobile home and RV park so that others could enjoy it as much as he did. He succeeded when he built Larson’s Landing with the help of his dad Max, father-in-law Lloyd Holbrook and son Jake. This is now called Larson’s Landing and RV Park that has over 100 RV’s and campers.

Doug was a hardworking, faithful, smart, kind hearted man.  He loved fishing, golfing, computers, playing pinochle, and tinkering. Family time on the river was his favorite!  They all enjoyed listening to Neil Diamond, fishing, water skiing, and tubing. Doug had many lifetime friends from elementary school and would enjoy a Wednesday night cocktail with these friends at the Elks where he was member for over 50 years.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Larson of Yankton, South Dakota; three children: Scott (Jenny) Larson of Yankton; Jake (Tammy) Larson of Yankton and Katie (Dylan) Lewis of Minneapolis, Minnesota; three grandchildren: Finn, Olivia, and Mackenzie (Alex); three step-children: Lori (Jeff) Huitema of Yankton; Jeff (Stacy) Koch of Glennview, Illinois; and Todd (Deb) Koch of Spokane, Washington; 11 step-grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Diane Edwards of Yankton; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Barry; sister, Maxine and infant daughter, Molly.