John A. (Jack) Larsen, beloved husband, father, brother, son, and friend, passed away June 29, 2018. Born in Park Falls to Arnold and Edith (Corrigan) Larsen on October 25, 1934, Jack loved beautiful Wisconsin, and especially Stevens Point where he made a home with his wife, Ann (Janda) Larsen.
Jack graduated from Owen High School, then went on to college. Around the time of the Korean War, he enlisted in the US Army where he attained the rank of Corporal. His job was to drive ambulance in Japan. True to form, he made the best of the deployment and took from it an appreciation of Japan and its culture, and how the Army helped him.
After the Army, Jack earned a bachelor’s degree in history and physical education from UW - La Crosse. He earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from UW - Stout and completed his doctorate in education from the University of Wyoming – Laramie. While working on his graduate degrees, he taught at Wausau Newman and Auburndale schools.
Jack was an educator and Director of Admissions at UW-SP where he helped students from many countries and backgrounds realize their full potential. He researched many foreign education systems. He was honored to be selected as a Fulbright Scholar to Germany. He was inducted into the UW-SP Athletic Hall of Fame. At UW-SP basketball games, he was the official scorekeeper for 25 years.
He pursued many interests. His family was first and foremost, most precious to him. At family gatherings, Jack was famous for his speeches and songs, bringing genuine meaning and connection. Jack loved sports of all kinds, playing, coaching, refereeing, and spectating. In his retirement, he played baritone in City Band and the Grenadiers band, and wrote poetry and songs. He was a very talented wood-carver, creating pieces which were painted by his wife, Ann. Throughout his life, he hunted and fished with his sons, father-in-law, and friends. He also enjoyed chopping wood or making maple syrup.
Jack lived life to the fullest. He was very social, filling his life with people and letting them know they were important.
Jack is survived by his wife Ann, his children Mary (James) Sankey, Jennifer (Patrick Quigley) Larsen, Elizabeth (William) Cook, Sara (Patrick) Mitchell, Peter (Joleen) Larsen, and Christopher (Leslie) Larsen, eleven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He is further survived by sisters Rosemary (John) Young and Patricia (David) Welter as well as in-laws Louis (Rosemary) Janda. Jack was preceded in death by his sister and brother in-law Martha and Paul Steffes.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Jack will be held at 11:00 am on Friday July 20, 2018 at Holy Spirit Parish. Burial will be at St. Bronislava Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 pm on Thursday July 19, 2018 at Shuda Funeral Chapel - 3200 Stanley St. Stevens Point. Visitation will also be from 10:00 am until the time of services Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to the UW-SP Foundation and the Green Circle Trail to honor two of Jack’s special interests.