Larsen Lunacy: Father's Day 2012

I typically love Father's Day for several reasons but leading the list is that I get to spend the day with my kids and now grandkids as well. This year I will be missing my Kelsey and her family but will get to see them next week and we are having family pictures taken at the 'command' of my wife. Father's Day for me anymore is somewhat bitter sweet as is Mother's Day as my parents are both gone and Holly's dad whom I called Dad even when we were first dating passed away a few years ago. I have limited memories of my own father as a child because he wasn't around very much but I remember him as an ideal grandfather and I hope to emulate him and have my grandchildren respect and love me as our children did him. I do remember my father being a 'take charge' kind of guy who was not afraid to say what he thought and back up what he said. He was not ashamed to stand up for what was right and would fight for his personal convictions.
As a child of about 7 or 8 I recall playing in the road in front of our house. It was not a busy street so we often played games running back and forth across the street whether playing baseball, 'kick the can' or 'no bears are out tonight'. We had one game where a group of kids would ride their bikes down the street while others standing on the lawns on either side would throw tennis balls at the bikers and if you were hit then you would become a thrower as well. The last one left on a bike was the winner. I'm sure we had a name for this incredibly fun game but it eludes me now. Anyway, one night while playing this 'gauntlet-like' game a small VW Bug came roaring around the corner and whistled down the street sending bikes and kids dodging for cover. My dad was in the yard doing some work and he yelled for the driver to slow down. A few moments later the same car came wheeling around the corner and made another pass down the street. By now, several of the parents from the block had made their way outside to see what was going on including our neighbor, Mr. Peterson. Then sure enough after another minute or two the car came around the bend at the end of the street and I could see my dad running for the middle of the road with shovel in hand. I will never forget him standing in the middle of that road with the shovel stretched before him like a medieval lance prepared to stop an approaching steed. Time seemed to stop for a moment as neighbors and children were screaming for the car to stop as it raced ahead. He didn't budge but seemed fully prepared to take the impact if that is what it would take to stop this menace and save the children from this mad man behind the wheel.
I don't remember exactly how it happened probably because I closed my eyes in anticipation of seeing my father run down and killed before my very eyes but the next thing I knew the car was stopped and my dad had the driver by the throat and was leading him across the street to our front yard. As he did so the passenger in the car got out and threw a large bottle of whiskey well over the house and into the neighbors back yard. I remember Mr. Peterson racing to the road and grabbing the passenger at this point who happened to be his second son and haul him off and into their home only to have the son, Danny, come charging out the front door a minute later in an attempt to attack my dad closely followed by his father. What a scene! Thankfully it all ended well and no one was hurt but I will always remember my dad standing for the right and not backing down. I hope I can be so dedicated to standing for what I know to be right and true.


My Dad and Me 1962


J. Farrell Larsen & Sons 1962

I have been greatly blessed with other men who have sacrificed of their resources, time and talents in my behalf and I am glad that I have been able to call three such men Dad. My own father as shown above. Holly's dad, Gene, who I grew to love and admire as much as any man I have ever known. He was small in stature but large in spirit and taught me the importance of patience, love and devotion that is so important as a husband and father. I miss him every day and still play a round or two at Wolf Creek in my dreams with him on a sunny day, eating carrot cake on the back 9. He stands very tall in my mind and I hope my children remember what a remarkable man he truly was.


Eugene M. Broby


Allan Reay, Yuvona Broby, Danielle Larsen Reay, & Dad

As pictured above, you can see that my life is blessed the addition of some wonderful son-in-laws and the fathers of my grandchildren. Allan is my second-son and has felt like a member of the family from the first day he took Danielle on a date. He is an amazing father to their three children and I love that he takes such good care of my daughter. The greatest blessing any father can have is to have passed the gauntlet of love and responsibility for his children onto a good man or woman. Bruce Chenuz is my other son-in-law and a joyful addition to our family. He is clever and creative and so much that I am not and he and Kelsey have the cutest little boy, Eli, who is quirky and so very funny. Bruce, like Allan, has been a wonderful addition to our family and I trust that he puts the care of his little family first which is so important to me. Holly and I love these men as if the were our own.


Bruce and Eli 2012

Last but not least I have a man who played a pivotal role in my life during some very important years. My step-father, Grant Wright, took four young boys under his wing during our teen years and did his best to teach us how to be men. I think he did a pretty good job and I still enjoy meeting up with him each year in Murdo, South Dakota to pheasant hunt and share a laugh or two. We had so many good times together that I can't even keep track of them as we played basketball, shot pheasants and geese and worked around our house. He was there for me when I needed a good father figure and I love him for it. Still the best shot with a shot gun that I know!