Taeko Larson
October 25, 1934 — September 9, 2016
Taeko Larson (neé Arai), a resident of Duluth since 1955 and a well loved member of the local community, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 9th, 2016. She was 81.
Mrs. Larson, known as Tae to friends and family alike, was born on October 25, 1934 in Tokyo, Japan, the only child of Kiyo and Tsuneji Arai. Her father Tsuneji was a pioneering jazz musician and big band leader in Japan who recorded many popular songs in the 1920s and 1930s. Before the war, Tae was educated at the Gakushin (Peer’s School) and was later raised by her grandmother Asa after her parents passed away.
While working as a translator, she met Twin Ports native Bruce F. Larson when he was a soldier stationed in Tokyo during the Korean War. They lived in Yokohama until 1955, after which they moved to Duluth, where she devoted her time to her family and friends.
She helped found and worked with the Japanese-American Friendship League in the 1950s and 1960s, helping other Japanese brides acclimate to American culture. Her community outreach work often brought her to local Duluth schools, where she and other members of the organization gave educational programs on Japanese culture.
Tae spent many years involved with the Duluth sister city program, and often volunteered her time to greet, chaperone, and translate for dignitaries from Ohara-Izumi City, Duluth’s partner city in Japan.
She was an amazing cook who gave instruction on traditional Japanese cooking techniques for many years and specialized in sushi. Her hobbies included gardening, Japanese flower arranging, reading, playing hanafuda, knitting, and spending time with her beloved cat. She was also an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings.
Tae is survived by Bruce, her husband of 62 years, and their six children: Lori (Rick) Verdon of Fitchburg, Wis., Gary (Karen) Larson of Kansasville, Wis., Marc (Tina) Larson of Gordon, Wis., Lisa (Ted) Jennaro of New Berlin, Wis., Todd (Heidi) Larson of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Taci (Tim) Ball of Duluth; and nine grandchildren, Erik, Amy, Paul, Hope, Teddy, Jenny, Asa, Victoria, and Matthew. Her generous heart and kind spirit will be missed by those who were blessed to have known her.
Visitation: 9:30 am Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016 until the 11 am funeral service at The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, 1325 N. 45th. Ave, E. Burial will be at Park Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, 218-727-3555.