ISHPEMING, MI - Kenneth C. Larson, age 95, passed away at his home on Wednesday May 20, 2026, surrounded by the loving care of his family and Lake Superior Home Health and Hospice staff.

Kenneth was born June 2, 1930, to Carl and Sophie (Jarvi) Larson, the third child of a family of five. He grew up in Ishpeming and National Mine, graduating from National Mine School in 1948. He then worked at Briggs and Stratton in Milwaukee and then the Chevrolet plant in Flint, Michigan. In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1973 at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. While in the service, he worked as a mechanic on air to air missiles and in PMEL. He was stationed in several places - Greenland, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Kincheloe, MI., California, Germany, New Jersey, K.I. Sawyer, and Vietnam.

On February 19, 1955, he married Betty VanDriessche in Chicago, Illinois at St. Ignais Loyola Church. They were blessed with four wonderful children - Kenneth Peter, Sally, Catherine, and Carolyn. The family was able to move with him except to Greenland and Vietnam. A very educational experience for all.

After 23 years, Ken retired from the Air Force and attended NMU finishing his college degree. He worked for 10 years at Marquette Alger Intermediate School District repairing electronic equipment throughout the U.P. schools.

He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church of Ishpeming. Both he and Betty were members of St. Vincent de Paul and volunteered for 30 wonderful years.

Ken and Betty were married for 71 years. Ken was a wonderful father, husband, grandfather, and great-grandfather and was always there for his family. One of Ken’s greatest accomplishments was to buy land north of Ishpeming on the Mulligan Plains. There he built a log camp with his son Kenny. The family spent many enjoyable days and years at the site.

Ken’s survivors include his wife Betty; three daughters, Sally (Jeff) Aitcheson of Wylie, Texas, Catherine Larson of Harvey, Carolyn Juul of Harvey; grandchildren, Danielle (Wayne) Allen of Fort Worth, Texas, Kenna (Gus) Farrach of Richardson, Texas, and JJ Earnest from Baltimore, Maryland; great-grandchildren, Tavo Farrach and Violet Farrach; and several beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Peter; parents, Sophie and Carl Larson; mother and father-in-law, Ed and Sally Van Driessche; brother, Ray (Pena) Larson; sisters, Helen Cox, June (Mike) Tasson, Evelyn Corkin; sister-in-law, Marion (Leslie) McComber; son-in-law, Ronald Juul; and daughter-in-law, Pat Tettimer; brothers-in-law, Leslie McComber and Michael Tasson.

A memorial mass with military honors will be held Wednesday July 8, 2026, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming. Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, with the memorial mass starting at 11:00 am, with Fr. Larry Van Damme celebrating. A luncheon will follow at the church in the K/D Hall.

Memorials may be directed to the St. Vincent de Paul Society Store, 322 Cleveland Ave, Ishpeming, MI 49849. Burial will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.

Many thanks for his care during the last few years from his three daughters Sally, Cathy, and Carol, his VA caregiver Everett Honkala, his primary care provider Jeremy Steele, and Lake Superior Home Health and Hospice for such loving care.

A full obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends are invited to leave notes of remembrance.