As he wraps up legacy, Sen. Larson looks back

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Friday, December 22, 2006

Political knowledge gained by Cal Larson during his first and successful run for the Minnesota State Legislature in 1966 paid dividends in future years. Four decades later, as he prepares to leave office, the former Fergus Falls businessman looks back with pride in what he’s done to help improve the lives of people throughout Otter Tail County.

In January 1967, Larson took the oath of office as one of two at-large House members representing Otter Tail County. In those days he served with legendary public servants such as Sen. Cliff Ukkelberg of Clitherall and Rep. Henry Henning of Pelican Rapids.

Larson had taken over for a third legend — Roy Dunn of Dunvilla — who after many years chose not to seek reelection. Later on Rodger Hanson of Vergas became a House member and colleague of Larson after Hank Henning chose not to seek reelection.

In 1972, resdistricting took place and Otter Tail County residents no longer were represented based on county lines.

Larson served four terms in the State House and in 1974, started a 12-year hiatus from legislative duties to be closer to his wife Loretta and their two children, Laura and Peder. After the two children graduated from high school and college he successfully ran for the State Senate in 1986.

“In the 1960s, I served with some great public servants,” Larson said in reference to Ukkelberg, Henning, Dunn and Hanson. “Those lawmakers, along with Roy Aune of Parkers Prairie and Turp Anderson of New York Mills, helped me mold a philosophy that I still use today — do what you think is in the best interest of your constituents and don’t worry about political repercussions.”

Larson stood his ground and never wavered in support of strict state budgeting, putting a lid on taxes and staying conservative on social issues. At the same time, he lended support to bills such as the one that created the JOBZ programs to enhance economic development in rural Minnesota.

Larson, a U.S. Navy veteran, supported bonding bills that led to the establishment of the Minnesota Veterans Home and Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls and additions to Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Fergus Falls.

Something dear to his heart are Maplewood State Park near Pelican Rapids and Glendalough State Park that was established in 1992 near Battle Lake.

“Cal has often been the top fundraiser for the annual ‘Walk for Glendalough’ which began in 1996 as a national March for Parks event,” Glendalough Park Manager Jeff Wiersma said. “He’s raised thousands of dollars for Park Partners projects.”

Larson was the first person to encourage Bud Nornes to run for the State Legislature.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Cal for the past 10 years,” Nornes said. “We’ve had a very good working relationship and I never worried about his support for my legislative issues. He also has been a great mentor.”

Over the years Larson appreciated constituents such as Harley Oyloe and Sonny Mjelde who have their own styles of humor. Oyloe, who worked as a photographer in Fergus Falls, took many of Larson’s campaign photos. Mjelde, former grocery store owner and postal worker, sent tongue-in-cheek suggestions to Larson now and then.

“It’s been fun calling him Sen. Klaghorn,” Mjelde said, referring to a fictitious southern politician. Kenny Delmar had taken the role of Sen. Klaghorn on the Fred Allen radio show.

Larson was instrumental in bringing Governor’s Fishing Openers to Otter Tail Lake in 1978, to Pelican Lake in 1989, and to Fergus Falls in 1997.

His legislative assistant Robin Prigge, who worked for the state senator in St. Paul, pointed to Larson’s efforts in caring for people as part of his legislative accomplishments.

“Sen. Larson worked hard with Mayor Kelly Feber and others to establish the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls,” she said. “Later on he helped pass legislation to provide planning dollars for a vets home expansion.”

Prigge said a shining example of Larson’s caring attitude is borne out by his assistance to a young girl from Fergus Falls who had been abducted, abused and forced into prostitution.

“Sen. Larson played a key role in breaking up the prostitution ring,” Prigge said, “involving up to 10 men operating out of Minneapolis. Cal put the young girl in contact with the proper authorities who arrested her perpetrator. Sen. Larson’s wife, Loretta, sat with the family every day during the trial which resulted in a conviction.”

In Fergus Falls, Larson ran his own full-service insurance agency, C.R. Larson Company, which he sold 10 years ago but where he still has an office. He also had a real estate brokerage firm. The Badger native and Concordia College grad has called Fergus Falls home since 1960.

The word retirement isn’t in his vocabulary, although he does enjoy summer days with Loretta and family members at their Crystal Lake home northeast of Pelican Rapids, close to several golf courses. The Larsons also closely follow the activities of six grandsons.

In the near term Larson will assist the governor’s office with some appointments to state commissions and boards. He’s working to help establish the Vergas Trail between Loon Lake and downtown Vergas and is a member of Rotary and other organizations.

“We appreciate Sen. Larson’s work on behalf of all the people of Otter Tail County,” said county Republican chairperson Brent Frazier of Pelican Rapids. “He’s a friendly individual who enjoys people and life in general. We wish him the very best.”