Niel Larsen

Niel “Dean” Larsen, 79, of Colby, died Sunday, September 9, 2012 at Prairie Senior Living Complex, Colby, one day before his 80th birthday. He was born September 10, 1932 to James J. and Pearle (White) Larsen in Rawlins County on the farm by the Middle Sappa Creek. Dean worked after high school for the Colby Experiment Station. He served two years in the Korean War 1953-1955. When returning home he went back to work for the Experiment Station and also work on the family farm. On January 29, 1956 he married Patricia Henningsen in the Colby United Methodist Church. In 1981 he retired from the Experiment Station and went to Farming full time. He had a love for wrestling; he would keep time for the local high school and college during the wrestling matches.
Preceded in death by his brothers Earle and Glenn; sisters, Mildred Jones, Ruth Brickley and Dorothy Schippert
Survivors include his wife of 56 years Patricia Larsen; daughters, Mylinda (Harlan) Downing, Colby, Sondra Stephens, Colby; a son, David (Deborah) Larsen, Purcellville, Virginia; four grandchildren, Brian and Michael Downing, Jessica Stephens, all of Colby and Erica (Darrell) Surmeier, Hays; one great grandson Connor John Surmeier; two sisters, Frances smith, Colby, and Nancy (John) Sanders, Colby; a brother Norman (Carolyn) Larsen, Kansas City.
Visitation will be from 2-7 p.m., Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Burial will follow in Beulah Cemetery, Colby. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Prairie Senior Living Complex in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby KS 67701.