E. Douglas Larson

E. Douglas “Doug” Larson of Roseville and more recently Coon Rapids, died peacefully on Jan. 21, 2022. He lived a full life of over 95 years. 

Doug was born June 10, 1926 in Bottineau, North Dakota. Upon finishing high school there in 1944, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

After graduating from the University of North Dakota, Doug was among the pioneers of the computer industry when he entered the electronics field in the early 1950s. He worked for Engineering Research Associates and was one of the early employees of Control Data Corporation. Later, Doug worked for Memorex in California’s Silicon Valley. During his long career, he specialized in manufacturing capabilities for new computers.

In 1949, he married Catherine “Kay” Glieden. They spent 67 years together (until Kay’s death) and raised five sons. 

As an active family, Doug and Kay took their boys on many camping and skiing trips and cross-country vacations. 

Doug was active in Scouting for over 35 years. As a youth, he was an Eagle Scout — inspiring four of his sons and one grandson to also attain the rank of Eagle.

Doug was a 4th Degree Knight and a past Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus.  

In addition, Doug enjoyed numerous hobbies and activities including flying his Cessna airplane, roasting pigs for family events, tracing family history, taking RV trips, collecting agates and steelyards (antique scales), and going on annual fishing and hunting trips.

In 2019, at the age of 93, Doug found love a second time and married Jeanette Christie. He thoroughly enjoyed their time together, along with five new stepchildren.

Doug was described by his brother, Alva, as being the anchor of his family. He has been that and more.

Always willing to lend a hand to others, Doug was an inspiration to all and will be greatly missed by family and friends. 

Doug was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Nellie (Temple), stepmother Grace (Bond) Larson, first wife Catherine (Glieden) Larson, and daughter-in-law Pamela (Hovelson) Larson. He is survived by his wife Jeanette (Christie), his sons Thomas (Cheryl), Steven (Joan), David, Mark (Jayne), and Daniel; nine grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren; five stepchildren Deb (Ron) McInnis, Donnie (Bobby) Christie, Paula Schwichtenberg, Jeanice (Bealka) and Tracy (Darin) Brockel; 13 grand stepchildren and five great grand stepchildren; brother Alva (Phyllis) Larson; sisters-in-law Mary Kujawa and Marian (Jack) Sakry and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to St. John’s of Little Canada, Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Visitation Friday, February 4th at 9:30 AM, and funeral Mass at 10:30 AM at St John the Evangelist of Little Canada, (Masks are required) luncheon 12:00 pm at Oakwood Funeral Home, 2585 Stillwater Road, Maplewood. and burial at 2 PM at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

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