Eugene (Gene) Odell Larson

Eugene (Gene) Odell Larson passed away Friday, February 16, 2024, at SSM Health St. Mary’s
Hospital in Madison, WI. He was born on February 19, 1941, in Black River Falls to Palmer and
Victoria (Knutson) Larson. Gene was the oldest of three children, Gary (Nancy) Larson and
Ronald (Lisa) Larson. The three brothers shared a special bond and love for one another
throughout their lives.
Gene farmed with his Dad and brother Gary in Curran Valley and hauled canned milk for his
Dad, which led to a lifelong career of truck driving. The family moved to Shady Glen and farmed
two different farms. Upon his graduation from Taylor High School, his family retired from farming
and moved to Black River Falls in 1960. Gene met and then married Diane Lee on June 5, 1965.
He drove truck for the Charcoal Plant and Fifield Forest Products, both in rural Black
River Falls. Gene and Diane moved to Janesville in 1966, where Gene’s uncle Donald Dahl
introduced him to Janesville’s trucking industry. He drove semi-tractors for Jatco, a Janesville
feed mill, Liberty Trucking Co, and Central Transport until he retired. Upon his retirement, he
continued to work multiple part-time jobs.
Gene and Diane resided in Janesville their entire lives where they raised their two daughters,
Cheryl and Denise. Gene and Diane enjoyed fifty-eight years of marriage which included many
family trips and travels around the United States. Some of his favorite pastimes were Harley
Davidson motorcycle rides with family and friends, watching Packer, Badger, and Brewer
games, taking drives with his wife and their dog, Olaf (after raising several other dogs), going for
Friday night fish fries, keeping the yard and vehicles pristine, and spending time with family and
friends. Gene looked forward to his weekly phone calls from his brother, Ron. Gene’s greatest
joy was being involved with the lives of his grandchildren: Julius, Sophie, and Riley. He enjoyed
attending their school programs, band concerts, and sporting events: cross country, basketball,
softball, and baseball.
Gene is survived by his wife Diane Larson; daughters Cheryl (Jeff) Ross and Denise (Mark)
Mezera; grandchildren Julius Ross, Sophie Mezera, and Riley Mezera; brother Ron (Lisa)
Larson; sister-in-law Nancy Larson; sister-in-law Nola Lee; brother-in-law Mike (Rosa) Lee; and
nieces and nephews, Mitch (Mindy) Larson, Katie (Brandt) Beach, and Joel (Amanda) Lee.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents Palmer and Victoria Larson; brother Gary Larson;
brother-in-law Sheldon Lee; brother-in-law David Olson; nephew Dean Larson; niece Michele
Lee; and father-in-law and mother-in-law Sigvart and Margaret Lee.
Gene will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving husband, father, and
grandfather. He will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
Funeral services for Gene will take place Thursday, February 22, 2024, at the Bridge Church at
12:00 p.m. (740 Alder Street, Black River Falls, WI 54615). Pastor John Cowles will officiate.
Family and friends are invited to the visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
The Torgerson’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements, 715-284-4321.