Mel Larson, 65 of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away as the result of an auto accident on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Sanford USD Medical Center.

Visitation with the family present will be from 1 to 3 pm with a prayer service at 3 pm on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the Miller Westside Chapel, 6200 West 41st Street. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, December 22, 2025, at St. Michael Parish with burial at St. Michael Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to a charity near to his heart, the Sioux Falls Canine Rescue at https://www.sfcaninerescue.org/info/donate

Mel Larson, son of Casper and Florence (Berg) Larson, was born on July 3, 1960, in Freeman, SD. He grew up in Meckling and Vermillion, graduating in 1979 from Vermillion High School. While in Yankton working at Gurney's Seed and Co. he met Jo Hoffert, who was attending at the University of South Dakota.

Mel was united in marriage with Jo on June 12, 1987. Mel managed WC Franks until moving to Sioux Falls, SD in 2004. He was one of the managers at the Olive Garden for over 15 years until taking a position managing Food and Nutrition at the Sanford Medical Center.

Mel was a member of St. Michael Parish and enjoyed cheering on the Dallas Cowboys. He took great pride in his landscaping and was a past-recipient of Yard of the Month. Mel's family was at the core of his being. He loved time spent together whether it was traveling, holidays, or attending grandchildren's events. Kind and soft-spoken, Mel made sure to always have fruit snacks for the grandkids and jokes for friends.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Jo Larson, Sioux Falls, SD; daughters Jennifer Quissell and her husband Chad, Sioux Falls, SD, Molly Johnson and her husband Jake, Sioux Falls, SD; brother Michael Larson, Vermillion, SD; 4 grandchildren Macie, Hallie, Mia, and Lila; his dog Loki; and many other relatives and friends.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents.