Michael "Mike" R. Larson

McFarland – Michael R. Larson, age 82, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. He attended schooling in McFarland K – 8th grade and graduated from Monona Grove H.S. in 1962.

Mike joined the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve in 1964, serving 6 years as a Medic in San Diego.

He joined the Madison Police Dept. in 1966 where he worked in Patrol, Lake Safety Patrol, Scuba rescue and recovery, being part of the rescue effort of Otis Redding’s plane on Lake Monona in 1967. Special Operations including Dignitary Protection with Elvis Presley, Presidents Reagan, Bush, Ford and many others. He was also instrumental in forming the first Honor Guard for Madison PD and the Madison SWAT Team.

In 1982 he left Madison for his hometown of Mc Farland following their growth joining the Mc Farland Police Dept. where he served as Patrol, Sargeant and the Chief of Police; also serving as EMS Director. He was President of Dane County Chiefs of Police Assn., charter member of Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial Board of Directors and under Tommy Thompson was part of the implementing of the Law Enforcement Memorial located on the Capital grounds in Madison in recognition of our fallen Officers who lost their life’s protecting their Cities, Village’s, communities and State. He was Chair of the 911 Advisory Committee, Life Member of Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Assn. He loved his job and retired proudly as the Chief of Police in 1998 after 32 years in law enforcement.

After retirement Mike worked part time for Cress Funeral and Cremation for 22 years.

He was 40+ years member of American Legion Post 534 in Mc Farland, serving as Commander for 6 years.

He also was a 40+ year member of Oregon Masonic Lodge 151. As a 32nd degree Mason, he joined the Zor Shrine Keystone Kops parade unit raising funds for the Shrine Hospitals. He also with his wife, Karen, joined the Order of Eastern Star chapter 49 in Oregon.

He was an avid boater on the lakes here in Wisconsin and 10+ years on the Mississippi River.

Mike is survived by a blended family: wife Karen Larson; children Michelle (Marty) Sneen, Teresa (Tadd) Smejkal, Joe Larson (Lindy Drudge); grandchildren Mackensey (Pat), Sean, Tanner, Riley, Taylor (Will), Olivia, Mikayla, Michael; great grandchildren Safyra, Penelope, Crosby, Niko, Oakley, Bohdi; sister Elizabeth (Wayne) Eilenfeldt; niece Annie (Dan) Conner; he is further survived by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday March 10, 2026, at MCFARLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5529 Marsh Rd. McFarland with Rev. Peter Erickson presiding. Burial with Military Honors will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. A luncheon will follow the burial at the McFarland American Legion Post. Visitation will be Monday March 9, 2026, vfrom 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Cress Funeral Home, 5801 Hwy 51, McFarland. At 7:00 PM on Monday night there will be a Military Pass and Review, Mason Service and an Eastern Star Service.

For those not able to attend in person, please register at the following link to view a copy of Mike's service:

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=b5d5c4ce-9238-43fa-a96c-8fda8270b6a6

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for all the care given to Mike over the last few months.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

5801 Highway 51, P.O. Box 105, McFarland

(608) 838-0655

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com