Douglas Larsen

A livestream for the funeral service and prayer service will be available on the church's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDgSgYh_TDhjaMhU4y7_ToA

A livestream for the burial will be available below. Due to the cemetery's rural location, there is a possibility of weak connection during the livestream. If this happens or you are not able to watch the service at the time it is live, a recording of the service will be available shortly afterwards.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 10 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 502 N Fourth St., Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck. A prayer service will begin at 7 p.m.

Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Douglas Allen Larsen, 47, loving father and beloved son, brother, husband, and friend, was taken from us tragically on Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Douglas was born on March 8, 1976, to John and Carleen (Kelly) Larsen in Minot. He grew up in Granville, where he played on the TGU football team, participated in FFA, and served as leader of the Luther League on both the local and western LYO Synod.  Doug spent countless hours at the family farm, picking weeds and growing potatoes and onions with Grandpa Alf.  Douglas graduated from Granville High School with the Class of ’94. Following graduation, he attended Minot State University, where he served a term as student body president and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Arts and Political Science (with honors).

Doug began his military career by enlisting in the North Dakota Army National Guard during his senior year of high school. He proudly served to protect our nation and after 9/11 was subsequently deployed to Iraq, where he bravely served as Company Commander for Charlie Company, 2-285^th Aviation Battalion. Thereafter, he was deployed with Operation Noble Eagle as a part of the 1-188^th Air Defense Artillery Battalion in Washington, D.C. Even in recent years, Doug continued to serve part-time in the North Dakota Army National Guard, exemplifying his patriotism and unwavering devotion to his fellow servicemen and women. With over 29 years of service, he attained the rank of Colonel. He touched the lives of many through his selfless dedication to the service of his country and his unwavering commitment to making the world a safer place.

After attending college, Doug met Amy and they started dating. On March 17, 2003, Doug married Amy Haugan in Bismarck, ND. Through this marriage, Doug gained his stepson Dylan Stevens. Doug enjoyed being involved with Dylan’s sports, including coaching his baseball team. In 2011, Doug and Amy welcomed their son Christian into their family, and in 2015, they completed their family when little Everett came into this world.  Doug found tremendous joy in taking Everett to a Minnesota Vikings football game or a Minnesota Twins baseball game.  He nourished Christian’s love of learning, especially dinosaurs, by bringing Christian to all dinosaur events and dig sites that were available along their life’s journey.  At night, you could find Doug reading books to the boys, which would famously include all the silly voices and sound effects that are required when reading a child’s book.   

Outside of his military service, Douglas was a driven individual, who had an entrepreneurial spirit.  This spirit started early, as a young newspaper boy in elementary school and continued throughout his life. Doug and Amy owned several successful businesses in the area, including APEX Builders, Peterson Properties, Peterson Hospitality, L&H Inc., and he was also a realtor with Next Home.

In 2020, Douglas expanded his impact in this world by running for State Senator. His mother, ready to ride the campaign trail with him, would drive Doug door to door as he passionately shared his vision with the community during the height of the COVID pandemic. He would either stand six feet away and talk with people or be welcomed in their house. Either way, he was ready to share his passion for bettering the community in which he lived. His determination proved successful when he was announced as Mandan State Senator and was currently serving North Dakota in that capacity.

Doug had unwavering support for the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins. You could often find him passionately cheering them on, whether it was from the comfort of his home or at the stadiums, where he shared unforgettable memories with his friends and family. Doug had a soft spot for Jimmy Buffett tunes that never failed to put a smile on his face. He attended many Jimmy Buffet concerts with friends and family, and successfully converted many into Buffet fans over the years.    

Doug and Amy enjoyed hosting and entertaining friends and family for the holidays. They were quite the duo while entertaining others - Doug enthusiastically enjoyed cooking, baking and grilling. Their 4^th of July celebrations were a force to be reckoned with, where Doug and Amy would provide food and entertainment for family, friends and coworkers.  Their welcoming and inviting nature will be deeply missed by all.

Doug had a special and unique way of bettering the world around him.  Doug was the foundation of his family, offering his love and support wherever needed.  He would offer his worldly advice when asked or a listening ear when needed.  Doug’s quick wit and dry sense of humor would be inserted into situations when needed to lighten the mood (and sometimes when not needed, but that was just Doug’s way).  Doug had a reputation for speaking his mind, especially when it was something he felt strongly about.  Doug would not think twice to offer his help, from rescuing baby kittens found along the side of the road to helping families find a home to raise their family.  No ask was too big or too small for Doug.  He had a one-of-a-kind personality that will leave an empty void in many people’s hearts. 

Douglas is survived by his step-son, Dylan Stevens, Mandan; his parents, John and Carleen, Granville, ND; sister, Peggy (Ben) Larsen Steimel, Scottsdale, AZ, and their children, Madison, Charles, and Tyler; sister, Rebecca (Patrick) Hoglund, Phoenix, AZ, and their children, Anna Lise, Aidan, and Clara; sister, Danielle (Austin) Hilzendeger, Minot, ND; aunts and uncles, Virginia (Carl) Myers Portland, OR; Ralph (Joanne) Larsen, Granville, ND; Kathleen Brewer, St. Petersburg, FL; Mark (Terese) Kelly, Cotton, MN; John (Sue) Kelly, Virginia, MN; and Mary (Rob) Heilman, Ham Lake, MN; and many cousins. 

Preceded in death by his nephew, Keenan Hoglund; his paternal grandparents, Alf and Agnes (Peg) Larsen; and maternal grandparents, Thomas and Jean Kelly.

In the wise words of Jimmy Buffet, “So, when the journey gets long, just know that you are loved, there is light up above, and the joy is always enough, bubbles up.” Fins up, Doug.

Memorial donations made in Doug’s honor may be given to Camp Metigoshe (https://metigosheministries.com).