Darrell Edward Larson's Obituary
Darrell E. Larson, 74, of Honolulu, Hawaii, formerly of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away peacefully at his home on July 6, 2026, with his beloved wife, Kate, and Odin (handsome cat son), at his side.
Darrell was born on June 2, 1952, at Deaconess Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota, to Joseph and Blanch (Knutson) Larson. He was baptized and confirmed at Sand Hill Lutheran Church and was raised on the family's farm near Climax, Minnesota. Those early years on the farm shaped the character that defined his life. From his parents and the close-knit rural community, he learned the enduring values of hard work, generosity, faith, humility, respect for others, and the importance of lending a helping hand whenever it was needed.
A gifted athlete, Darrell enjoyed basketball, football, and baseball throughout his youth and was an exceptional water skier whose skill on the water remained a point of pride for family and friends. He graduated from Climax High School in 1970 before continuing his education at The University of Minnesota and Moorhead State College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974. He received his Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1977 and completed a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation from New York University in 1978.
That same year, Darrell joined the Grand Forks law firm now known as Camrud, Maddock, Olson & Larson, Ltd., beginning a distinguished legal career that would span more than four decades. As a partner in the firm, he became widely respected throughout North Dakota and Minnesota as an outstanding tax attorney and trusted advisor in estate planning, business law, trusts, probate, and corporate matters. To his partners, he was the quintessential attorney—exceptionally knowledgeable, unfailingly professional, thoughtful, personable, and among the hardest-working people they had ever known. To his clients, he was much more than legal counsel. He was a trusted confidant who invested himself in helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate life's most important decisions with wisdom, integrity, and compassion.
Darrell's steady leadership helped guide the law firm’s growth and development over the years and meet challenges along the way. Following the devastating Red River flood and fire of 1997 which destroyed the company’s headquarters, he played a pivotal role in helping the firm recover, rebuild, and continue serving the community it had long called home.
In 2013, Darrell met the love of his life and soulmate, Kate J. Claycombe. They were united in marriage on March 7, 2015, and together built a life filled with love, adventure, laughter, and unwavering devotion. Together, Darrell and Kate created a culturally integrated loving home and navigated their professional and personal life successfully with mutual respect and admiration for each other.
Although Darrell achieved remarkable professional success, he believed deeply that success carries with it a responsibility to serve others. Throughout his life, he generously gave his time, expertise, leadership, and financial support to organizations that strengthened the Grand Forks community and enriched the lives of countless people.
His commitment to the arts was especially evident through his decades of service to the North Dakota Museum of Art. He served as Chair of the Museum's Board of Trustees and as Vice Chair of the Museum of Art Foundation, providing both visionary leadership and trusted legal counsel while championing projects that helped secure the Museum's future.
Healthcare was another cause close to his heart. Darrell served for more than a decade on the Board of Directors of Altru Health System, ultimately serving as Board Chair. As the health system's longtime general counsel, he played an important role in governance, strategic planning, and philanthropy, helping guide one of the region's most important institutions through years of growth and change.
Darrell's leadership extended throughout the community. He served on the Board of Directors of the Grand Forks Area Chamber of Commerce and later as Chair of the Board during an important period in the Chamber's evolution. He was also a founding member of the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region, helping establish an organization that continues to support charitable giving and strengthen the region for generations to come. Whether serving on a board, advising a nonprofit organization, or quietly helping behind the scenes, Darrell consistently sought ways to make his community stronger.
Beyond his professional and civic accomplishments, Darrell embraced life with enthusiasm. He possessed an infectious zest for living that drew people to him wherever he went. Warm, engaging, generous, and genuinely interested in others, he made lasting friendships throughout every chapter of his life.
Music was one of Darrell's lifelong passions. After teaching himself to play the guitar as a junior high student, he became an accomplished guitarist and continued playing throughout his life, generously sharing his music with family and friends. He also loved to travel, exploring countries and cultures around the world with curiosity and appreciation. An avid golfer, he treasured the camaraderie and challenge of the game and proudly participated four times in the West Coast Challenge, an Irish golf tournament played on some of the world's most rugged and demanding links courses.
Darrell will be remembered not only for his extraordinary legal career and his many contributions to the community, but also for the kindness with which he treated everyone he met, his unwavering integrity, his generous spirit, and his ability to make people feel valued. His legacy lives on in the institutions he strengthened, the clients and colleagues he mentored, the friendships he cultivated, and the family he loved so deeply.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Blanch Larson, his brother, Jerry Larson, and sister-in law Carole Larson.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Kate Larson; his sister, Dianne (Paul) Brokke, sister-in laws, Sungyee Joh and Youngyee J. Waddell (John), and by many cousins, nieces, nephews, cherished friends, and colleagues whose lives were enriched by knowing him.
His life was one of quiet excellence, generous service, steadfast integrity, and enduring love. He leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of calling him a husband, brother, friend, mentor, colleague, and counselor.
A Celebration of Darrell’s Life will be held between 1:00 pm to 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the North Dakota Museum of Art.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to the North Dakota Museum of Art (https://ndmoa.com/darrell-larson-memorial/).
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