Gordon "Gordy" Merle Larsen

Gordon “Gordy” Merle Larsen, 80, of Duluth, Minnesota passed away on January 7, 2022 at Essentia Health in Duluth.

Gordy was born on October 22, 1941 in Duluth to Lillian and Merle Larsen, the youngest of four children and only son. He graduated from Denfeld High School in 1960. Following high school, he served in the US Navy for four years. After being honorably discharged, Gordy went to Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis where earned a degree in Refrigeration. While at Dunwoody, Gordy met the love of his life and bride of 56 years, Becky Huss. They married in 1965 and had three children: Vikki, Jeff, and Gina.

Gordy actively worked in the commercial refrigeration business for over 30 years. He began his career at Gartner Refrigeration; he was a founding co-partner of Arrowhead Refrigeration – where his son is currently employed; he concluded his career at Fleming.  He shared his knowledge by teaching apprentices at the local union and the people of Spring Village, Jamaica.

The most important parts in Gordy’s life were his family and his faith. His family included not only those who were related to him, but the friends he made along the way. Faith to Gordy was a very active thing. He believed strongly in the power of prayer, and because of this, often became the answer to prayers. He was active at Gethsemane Covenant Church and Lakeside Chapel.

There was always a project going for Gordy. He built four houses from bottom to top, doing most of the work himself.  Every time he built a house, Becky made it a home.  He also helped friends and family with their projects. 

While working full time, he co-partnered to start Vantage Point Manufacturing, an aerial lift company, building the first lift in his garage. When the lift company outgrew the garage, he partnered again to form Calvary Enterprises to house Vantage Point and other manufacturing companies. Even when relaxing, Gordy was known for building cabins, docks, and outhouses at his favorite Canadian outpost.

Gordy was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman. He was always happiest when he was outdoors.

In retirement, he and Becky were introduced to Spring Village, Jamaica where they went annually for almost twenty years. While there, Gordy taught refrigeration and construction skills to the people of the village and in later years assisted in maintaining, building, and improving the school and clinic. They would host and guide countless short term mission teams to assist the Spring Village Development Foundation in providing support to the community in training students in technical trades, hospitality, and medical trades.

Gordy is preceded in death by his parents, Lillian and Merle Larsen; sisters, Joanne Line and Fern Kahlson; and in-laws, Leonard and Emma Huss.

Gordy is survived by his wife, Becky; children, Vikki, Jeff and Gina (Marty); grandchildren, Elise, Kenneth, Ian, Melaina, Alec and Zylea; sister, Judy Pearson; numerous nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

Visitation to be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, Jan. 29th at Gethsemane Covenant Church, 4479 Ugstad Rd, with Memorial Service at 11:00 AM and Military Honors to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Spring Village Scholarship Fund in care of Project Increase, Lakeside Chapel, Peqwayan Lake, MN

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