RINGSTED — Mark Richard Larsen, 73, passed away September 26, 2026, at his rural Ringsted home, lovingly surrounded by his wife and children.
Visitation will be held Monday, October 5, from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Ringsted Community Center/American Legion, 5 W. Maple St. in Ringsted. A service will follow there at 5:30 p.m.
Mark was born December 17, 1952, in Sioux City, Iowa, and was welcomed into the rural Ringsted home of his parents, Harold R. and Thelma (Miller) Larsen, on February 17, 1953. His sister, Roslyn, later joined the family.
He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Ringsted and later attended First Presbyterian Church in Ringsted. After graduating from Ringsted High School in 1971, Mark served two years in the United States Air Force. He then returned home to farm alongside his parents.
On June 15, 1974, Mark married Anita K. Anderson at Terril United Methodist Church. Their marriage would span 52 years, with the couple building their life in a community they loved and raising four children — Jessica, Andrea, Nickolas and Alexander — on their family farm.
Mark’s commitment to Ringsted extended well beyond his own farm. He served as commander of Christiansen-Bonnicksen American Legion Post #382 and served on the boards of the Armstrong-Ringsted Community School, Emmet County Soybean Association and St. John’s Lutheran Church. He was also involved with the Ringsted Community Action Club and Danish American Fellowship.
His military service remained an important part of his life. On September 15, 2018, Mark traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the 17th Vietnam-era Honor Flight.
Mark also took great pride in the Larsen family’s Danish heritage. He formed lasting friendships with visitors from Ringsted, Denmark, during the Iowa community’s 1999 centennial and connected with relatives living in Denmark. Mark and Anita traveled there in 2007 and again in 2010, staying with family and friends.
One of the most remarkable chapters of Mark’s life began July 24, 2017, when he received a heart transplant. After spending three months recovering at the Gift of Life House in Rochester, Minnesota, he returned to the farm and continued farming for another two years before retiring.
That donated heart gave Mark more than nine additional years with Anita, their children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. His family expressed deep gratitude to the Mayo Clinic transplant team and, above all, to the 19-year-old donor and donor’s family whose decision to say yes to organ donation made those additional years possible.
Mark is survived by his wife, Anita; children Jessica (James) Rankin, Annie (Jeff) Manwarren, Nick (Amy) Larsen and Alex Larsen; six grandchildren, Hunter Sanders, Madison Manwarren, Jacob Manwarren, Malori Larsen, Molli Larsen and Ryan Larsen; and great-grandson Zayden Manwarren. The family is also awaiting the arrival of a great-granddaughter next spring.
He is also survived by his sister, Roslyn (Jay) Gunderson; sisters-in-law Karen Swanson, Sherry (Dennis) Gjerde and Jean Anderson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Abe and Maxine Anderson; three brothers-in-law; one sister-in-law; one niece; two nephews; and beloved aunts and uncles.
Memorials may be directed to the Gift of Life House in Rochester, Iowa Donor Network or the Ringsted American Legion. In keeping with the extraordinary gift that extended Mark’s own life, his family encourages others to consider organ donation.
Henry-Olson Funeral Home is assisting the family. Additional information and an online tribute book are available through Henry-Olson Funeral Home.
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