Dean A. Larsen, age 86 of Big Rapids, passed away Saturday, August 27, 2011 at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids with his family by his side. He was born May 8, 1925 in Big Rapids the son of William and Mary (DeCair) Larsen. Dean joined the United States Army and was honorably discharged as a sergeant and squad leader. Dean married Doris Tetzlaff on September 16, 1961 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Big Rapids, where they raised their family. Together they were members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was a licensed master carpenter. Dean and Doris built their house, he helped build the Lutheran Church that was on Linden Street and he built many cabinets and other furniture. Throughout his career, Dean worked at several furniture factories, was a self employed carpenter and remodeler, a janitor for Ferris and he performed the mechanical maintenance for the Big Rapids Public Schools until he retired 1990. Dean enjoyed the outdoors; he was a hunter and a fisherman. Tom Langworthy was his best friend that he would hunt and fish with and he greatly missed him after he passed. Dean also liked to garden and sit on the deck at home and watch the wild life in his yard. He loved his family and will be greatly missed. Dean is survived by his wife Doris Larsen of Big Rapids; 3 daughters, Shari Larsen of Big Rapids, Karen Larsen of Big Rapids and Linda (Randy) Boersma of Harrietta; 2 sisters-in-law, Dollie Larsen of Hastings and Mildred Larsen of Ohio; nieces and nephews, Patricia (Gus) Hallquist, Diana (Jon Thomas) Burgess, Ardith Smith, Marlene Waddell, Jean (Bernie) Snider, Terry (Kay) Langworthy, Bill (Maria) Langworthy, Cindy (David) Beckwith, Tim (Cindy) Larsen, Mark (Kelli) Larsen, Kenneth (Linda) Larsen and John Snider; many great nieces and nephews; special friends, Rhonda Stratton and Jon, Denise, Thomas and Tara Erlandson; family pets, a cat Lucy and a dog Cassie. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter Mary Lou; 3 brothers, Gerald Larsen, Kenneth Larsen and Karl Larsen; 2 sisters, Ruth Langworthy-Borstler and Florence Classon; 4 nieces and nephews, Tom Langworthy, John Langworthy, Sally Loviska and Gary Larsen; a sister-in-law, Elinor Tetzlaff. Funeral services will take place 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 3rd at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with Pastor Clay Bates officiating and military honors to follow. The family will greet friends on Friday, September 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Dean's name may be made to the Susan P. Wheatlake Foundation or the Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation.