Michael A. Larson

It is with heavy hearts and great sorrow that we announce the tragic and unexpected passing of our dear Michael Larson on June 22, 2025.

Husband, son, brother, nephew, brother in-law, uncle, great uncle, friend and coworker.

Photographer, cyclist, triathlete, animal lover, traveler, hiker, kayaker, foodie, craft beer enthusiast, Weird Al Yankovic zealot, Pink Floyd fan, salesman, and as his late father in-law would say "a prince of a fellow".

Penny met Mike at Pioneer Schwinn (where Mike worked at the time), when she joined her sister to buy a bike for her nephew. Her nephew got his new Schwinn bike and Penny got Mike. Mike and Penny fell head over handlebars in love. They dated for five years then walked down the aisle to "A Bicycle Built for Two" and rode off on a tandem bike for their honeymoon at Split Rock Lighthouse campground, on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The first of many bike trips they took together. Mike and Penny loved to travel and truly enjoyed a road trip. Mike combined these outings with hiking through beautiful countryside and producing some amazing photography, another one of his many talents. They loved going out to eat together, trying new cuisines, eating at supper clubs and checking out breweries wherever they went. They enjoyed sharing culinary adventures with family and friends, most gatherings revolved around food and drink. Mike loved spending time with Penny and their four-legged fur babies. They could be happy just hanging out with them and enjoying their antics. Mike was easy going and just enjoyed life.

Mike was the purveyor of all things fun and funny and never tired of his cache of one-liners, movie quotes and personal world observations. Ooh pretty, riding the corn, Hoopdee Spew Review, Yo Weiner, your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries, Dr. Evil speech, Stephen Lynch medieval ballad/voices in my head duets, I LOVE toast, gotta grip 'em, magic twanger, penguin joke, Post-it notes, clandestine meetings with Elli, I caught you this delicious bass, pretty standard really and his magical way of rubbing his lucky dice. His flawless performance in sign language of whale and bull****.

Mike was first and foremost a cyclist, so he was a natural when it came to selling bicycles. Over the years he put thousands of miles on the road peddling for Schwinn, Giant, Nishiki, Bianchi, Trek, Raleigh, Fox, Sugoi and Louis Garneau to name a few. He was a true professional at his trade and won many achievement awards along the way. Mike was outgoing, charismatic, talented, honest and remarkably humble. He was well liked and respected by everyone in the industry who knew him.

Mike didn't "coast" through life, he "pedaled" in high "gear", "spoke" of his love of cycling taking a "brake" only to inspire others to "saddle up". Never a "crank"(y) guy, he sped down life's "trails" with a "pannier" full of life, love and laughter, making friends wherever he went.

Preceded in death by his beloved Grammee; in-laws, Edward and Joyce Hockensmith; uncle, Ron Haenze; brother-in-law, Corrie Hockensmith, and fur babies, Duke, Shadow, Whiskers, Tiger, Max, Alex, Elliott, Oliver, Zander and Cleo. Also, his (deer) Alisha.

Michael, you have derailed us and left a chain of broken hearts. You will be forever loved and woefully missed by your cherished wife, best friend and soul mate of 42 years, Penelope; furever buddy, Asher; mom and dad. Marcia and Rodney Larson; sister, Christy Cook (Scott Everett); brother and biking buddy, Bill Larson (Judi Droster), and nephews, Bill (Alison), Brian, Chuck, Alan, David, William and James; aunt, Kaye Haenze; cousins, Nick Haenze, Amy Schumacher (Eric); second cousins, Jaylin Hustedde (Caleb), Kylie Clark (Micah); brother and sister in-law, David and Deborah; nephews, Shane (Sarah), Keegan (Alizabeth), Kyle (Amy); great nephews, Bergen, Kordell, Finnegan, Beckett and great nieces, Tierney and Larken - McJames' all. Also, his many treasured friends and coworkers, too many to list but you know who you are.

Forever in our hearts.

Until we meet again dear Michael, until we meet again.

Donations preferred to St. Francis of Assisi Animal Rescue. Stfrananimalrescue.org