Charles L. Larsen

Charles L Larsen (Chuck) was born on June 13,1931 to James and Della Larsen of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Chuck was the youngest of four siblings and enjoyed learning to hunt, fish and golf as a boy. In high school, Chuck was on the basketball and golf teams. He was enrolled in ROTC and was also a member of the rifle team where he earned the classification of “expert rifleman”. He was a talented student and a respected peer as evidenced by his selection as President of his graduating class at Abraham Lincoln High School in 1949.

Chuck chose to follow in the footsteps of his father and brothers who were builders by trade. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Iowa where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He continued his participation in ROTC in college and was appointed as a Cadet Lieutenant Colonel and Battalion Commander.

Following his college graduation, he was appointed as a Reserve commissioned officer of the Army, 2nd Lieutenant, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Prior to leaving for duty, Chuck married the love of his life, Wanda Jensen in 1954. At Fort Belvoir, Chuck graduated from Engineer School officer training and Corps of Engineers instructor training. He was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and served as a weapons instructor for the remainder of his two-year commitment. During this brief period in the Army, Chuck and Wanda welcomed their first child, Charles (Chip) in 1955.

Chuck and Wanda returned to Council Bluffs Iowa where they were very active in the community and with their church and social circle. They welcomed two more children (Lisa in 1958 and Scott in 1968)

Chuck truly loved his chosen profession as a builder, and he enjoyed a career of almost 30 years with Peter Kiewit Construction Company in the Omaha office. Toward the very end of his career with Kiewit in 1992, Hurricane Andrew struck Florida and Chuck was deployed with other engineers to help with the rebuilding efforts.

Chuck retired at the end of 1992 and enjoyed being able to travel with Wanda and their friends where they golfed on beautiful courses in some of their many destinations worldwide. Chuck and Wanda lived for many years in a golf community in Naples, Florida where they were again, very active with their church and many friends. Theirs was a life well-lived.

Chuck and Wanda loved to entertain both friends and their growing family over the years as they welcomed six grandchildren and eventually, six great-grandchildren to their family fold. When they returned to the Midwest to live closer to family in 2006, their home in Overland Park, Kansas was the favorite destination for family gatherings.

Chuck suffered the loss of his wife, Wanda, in 2021 and their son, Charles, in 2023. When it became more challenging to remain alone, Chuck moved into assisted living in 2024. God decided to call Chuck to his eternal home, on January 17th, 2025. He passed peacefully with the assistance of hospice care and surrounded by his children and many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Chuck’s surviving family includes his daughter Lisa Havens (Ken), son Dr. Scott Larsen, DDS. (Debbie), Daughter-in-Law Susan Larsen; Grandchildren: Jeff Larsen (Mary), Lauren Gilbert (Cass), Kristen McElliott (Jeremy), Eric Havens (Stephanie), Kyle Larsen (Erin) and Kelsey Larsen; Great-grandchildren: Reese Gilbert, Colston Gilbert, Rylee McElliott, Ava McElliott, Dominic Havens and Maya Havens.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Charles L Larsen’s name to Monarch Hospice. www.monarchmidwest.org