Larry Watson Obituary

    Larry Don Watson left this life suddenly and unexpectedly June 10, 2019 at the age of 70.  
    He was born to Myrle (Walters) and Donald Watson on Feb. 12, 1949 in Lake City. Larry attended Lake City schools where he made so many life-long friends. He attended Winona State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in both chemistry and biology. He met Audrey Schwandt and tutored her in bacteriology. The tutoring was successful as was their relationship. They were married on June 19, 1971 in St. Paul. They lived in Maryland for a short time during his training for the Army Reserves. They returned to the Lake City area where they lived the remainder of his life. Larry served over 21 years in the Army Reserve which gave him the love of travel. He and his family were blessed with many adventures traveling to Europe and England and to 49 of the 50 states – Hawaii was on his bucket list for 2020.  He retired from the Army in 1991 with over 21 years served.
    Larry worked with the Minnesota DNR for 33 years and retired from the DNR in 2008. He worked for many years with Fisheries throughout southeast Minnesota. He then transferred to facilities coordinator for the DNR, a job which he loved because he traveled throughout Minnesota and was able to use his construction background to help with facilitating repair and upkeep on many of the state parks in Minnesota.
    Larry’s greatest joys were spending time with family and dear friends, gardening (always more than we needed), fishing and traveling.  He was a member of First Lutheran Church and truly loved the camaraderie and warmth of his church family.
    He is survived by his wife, Audrey; son, Billy; and many dear cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister, Linda; and his in-laws, Gerhardt and Frances Schwandt.
    Memorial Service will be on Tuesday, June 18, at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church of Lake City, with Rev. Tim Ehling officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday June 17, at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel in Lake City from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Burial will follow the Memorial Service at the First Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Lake City Food Shelf and/or the Minnesota Humane Society.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.