Kathryn Larson

Kathryn Mary Larson was born to Clarence A. McAlpine, and Eunice C. McAlpine on October 7th of 1943 in Elk River, Minnesota. Kathryn passed from this life into eternal rest on 7/10/2026 surrounded by her loved ones at home. The visitation and service for Kathryn will be held on 7/19/2026 at the Kingdom's Hall of Jehovah's in Jenkins Minnesota. The visitation will begin at 5pm, and the service at 6pm.

She was the second oldest of 10 siblings, and was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Affectionately known as Katie or Kathy, she was born in Elk River and raised in Dayton, Minnesota and graduated from Elk River High School. Following her graduation, she began her early adult life in Minneapolis where she worked at the Payco, Honeywell, and other factories in the area. Later she went on to be employed as a waitress at the Monti Club in Monticello,MN as well as a hostess and night auditor at the Grand View Lodge in Nisswa. She also worked for American Family Insurance, and as an optometrist’s assistant until she retired later in life.

She married her first husband Kenneth L. Barthel on June 30th, 1962. She married her second husband, Charlie T. Larson Sr., on May 23rd of 1975, and they lived in their family built home near Leader Minnesota where they raised their children John, Erika, Charlie Jr., Ben, and Amanda. Katie had a green thumb and was a dedicated and enthusiastic gardener, maintaining an abundant vegetable and flower garden year-round, known for its cucumbers, tomatoes, hydrangeas, roses, peonies, morning glories, and honeysuckle. She was an avid lover of dogs, and she created a personal business, breeding and selling several different breeds of dogs including Bichon Frisé, West Highland White Terrier, and Great Pyrenees. Katie loved a good glass of Italian wine paired with a bar of dark chocolate or roasted lamb. She adored Greek food, enjoyed traveling and would spend countless summers in Germany or Wisconsin with her best friends Ethel and Erika. When at home she had several amazing lifelong friendships with Lorraine, Pam, and Mary. Katie was an accomplished homemaker and cherished that her home was a beloved cornerstone for her family to come together

To her family, Katie was a matriarch who was caring, intelligent, and had a sharp sense of humor. To her friends and neighbors, she was cultured, independent and while small in stature, Katie carried an undeniable presence.

Katie is survived by her children John (Lisa), Charlie Jr. (Jessica), Ben, and Amanda; her grandchildren including Patrick (Hope), Samantha (Ty), Sean, Rhiannon (Leighton), Brook, Garrett, Dylan, Kate, Noah, Chloe, Wyatt, Silas, and Willow. Her great grandchildren, Harper, Ashton, Theo, Matthew, Lane, and Aviana; and siblings Richard, Shirley, Roger, Carol, Bruce, Joan, and Clarice.

She is preceded in death by her husband’s Kenneth L. Barthel Charlie T. Larson Sr., her daughter Erika Nusbaum, her siblings Kenneth and Sharon, and her parents Clarence and Eunice McAlpine.

Special thanks to Amanda, Rhiannon, and Lakewood Hospice for providing the care to aid Katie in her peaceful passing.