Marshall Dale Larsen

Larsen, M. Dale, retired Broadcasting Executive, passed away July 25, 2014 in Aurora, Colorado. He was 91 years of age. Marshall Dale Larsen was born September 21, 1922 in Red Wing, Minnesota to Marshall Arnold and Marie Josephine (Hines) Larsen. He was educated at St. Joseph Parochial School and Central High School in Red Wing. While in high school he was named All-Star Orator and All-Star Thespian and became a Life Scout with Boy Scouts of America. His higher education included Bachelor of Science (Pre-Medicine), St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, 1944; University of Minnesota Medical School, 1944-1945; and University of Minnesota School of Business, 1946. During and after high school, Dale worked as a driver and dispatcher for the 707 Cab Co. (Red Wing), and then as a waiter, night clerk, and bellhop at hotels in Peoria, IL and Rochester, MN. He joined the Minneapolis Star and Tribune newspapers in 1942 as a District Manager in the City Circulation Department. During this time he was active in the Aqua Jesters Clown Club, Minneapolis Aquatennial 1951-1955, and Dan Patch Toastmasters (Richfield, MN) 1950-1956. Dale married Evelyn A. Malmberg in Minneapolis, MN on January 14, 1943. Shortly after marrying Ev he was inducted into the US Army at Ft. Snelling, MN. Stationed at Fort Riley, KS from 1943-1944, he was assigned to the Army Specialized Training Program and studied at the University of St. Louis and the University of Minnesota. In 1945 he was assigned to Fitzsimons General Hospital, Denver, CO. After discharge from the army, he returned to the Circulation Department at the Star and Tribune, wherein 1948 he moved to the City Dealer Division, and in 1953 to the Promotion Department. In January 1956 Dale transferred from the Star and Tribune in Minneapolis to its newly acquired television station, KTVH Channel 12, the CBS affiliate in Wichita-Hutchinson, Kansas. Starting as Marketing/Promotion Manager, he became Assistant General Manager in 1958, General Manager in 1959, and President/General Manager in 1974. In 1980, as Vice President for Broadcasting at the Minneapolis Star and Tribune, he retired from active management of the station to concentrate on acquisition planning and affiliate management. Dale served on the Board of Directors for a number of professional and civic organizations during his career, including The Advertising Club of Wichita, CBS Television Network Affiliates, Friends of the Wichita Library, Great Plains Heritage Foundation, Halstead Hospital Foundation, Junior Achievement of Wichita, Kansas State Chamber of Commerce, Music Theater of Wichita, National Conference of Christians and Jews, Sedgwick County Heart Association, St. Joseph Medical Center, Toastmasters International, University of Kansas School of Journalism Broadcast Advisory Council, Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce, Wichita Better Business Bureau, Wichita Medical Education Association, and the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum. Dale took full retirement in 1982. He and Ev were now able to spend more time relaxing and entertaining at home in Wichita and at their lake home in Bella Vista, Arkansas. They took frequent road trips, visiting family and friends, and exploring every interesting side trip they came across along the way. Many historical museums and sites, out-of-the-way golf courses, and local attractions were enjoyed, and “antiquing” was a favorite pastime. They moved to Aurora, CO in 2011, where Ev continues to reside. Dale had a wide variety of talents and interests and pursued them enthusiastically. Carpentry, woodworking, sculpting, gardening, and golf were among his favorites. His writing skills served him well in the production of an extensively researched family history. He took great pleasure in hosting dinner parties for their close-knit dinner group of over 40 years. He was very grateful for all of the people who touched his life, and always “so glad we had this time together.” A particular soft spot in Dale’s heart was his hometown, “Pretty Red Wing.” In 1987 he began writing a weekly newspaper column of nostalgia and childhood memories for the Red Wing Daily Republican Eagle. In 1990, using those columns as source material, he began a five-day-a-week/twice-daily radio program on Red Wing’s AM radio station, KCUE. He proudly organized class reunions for the Central High Class of 1940, the last one being their 65th in 2005, and he and Ev were avid collectors of stoneware and pottery from the Red Wing Stoneware Co. Dale’s first and foremost dedication was to his family. He was over-the-top proud of all of his girls, and in these last years he and Ev truly were each other’s “everything.” Despite the inevitable effects of aging, his inquisitive mind, sharp intellect, and quick wit remained with him until the end. Dale was preceded in death by his parents Marshall and Marie, and sister Donna Mumford. He is survived by his wife of 71 years Evelyn, daughters Lynne Larsen of Prairie Village, KS, Judy Larsen of Mill Creek, WA, and Kathy Larsen Bruner (Candace Hansen) of Aurora, CO, grandson Marshall Bruner of Fraser, CO, granddaughter Meredith Bruner Whitehead (John) of Aurora, CO, great-grandson Jackson Marshall Whitehead, sisters and brothers-in-law Eileen and Roger Johnson and Pat and Dave Carlson of Minneapolis, MN, and numerous nieces and nephews. Private family services were held. Burial will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. Memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Goodhue County Historical Society, 1166 Oak St., Red Wing, MN 55066. Condolences may be made at www.allstatescremation.com.