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After more than five decades in the work force, Kelly Larson was issued a mayoral commemoration to celebrate his retirement in a heartfelt ceremony organized by his close friend Tom Riddle on February 16, 2024. Shown left to right are Tom Riddle, Kelly Larson and Mayor Brian Bergeleen. -
Of the many friends, family and coworkers in attendance, Larson is shown with his daughter Kelsey (left) and wife Connie. -
Of the many friends, family and coworkers in attendance, Larson is shown with two of his siblings, Roger Larson and Connie Ness. -
Larson and his wife Connie listen as Mayor Bergeleen reads the commemoration listing Larson’s accomplishments.
After more than five decades in the work force, Kelly Larson was issued a mayoral commemoration to celebrate his retirement. Larson's journey from a 10-year-old fourth grader working at Larry’s Red Owl grocery store to his tenure at the county was commemorated in a heartfelt ceremony organized by his close friend, Tom Riddle, on Friday, February 16, 2024.
Mayor Brian Bergeleen of the City of Wessington Springs presided over the ceremony, reading a mayoral commendation that not only honored Larson's 17 years of dedicated service as the Maintenance Manager but also recognized his extensive contributions to the South Dakota National Guard, volunteer initiatives, and local sports community.
Mayor Bergeleen read through the list of Larson’s accomplishments: During his time at Wessington Springs High School, he was an outstanding athlete playing many sports, more specifically he was an outstanding track athlete making it to state track all four years of high school.
He served on the Wessington Springs Volunteer Fire Department for 29 years.
He played for the Wessington Springs Owls. Over the years, Kelly umpired baseball for 28 years. He umpired 15 State Amateur Baseball Tournaments, umpired 20 State VFW tournaments, and umpired three State Legion tournaments.
At age 17, he joined the South Dakota National Guard. Kelly served for over 30 years. While in the National Guard he received numerous awards. He was deployed to Iraq in December 2003 to February 2005.
He has owned and operated, with his family, Larson Pheasant Cleaning for 38 years.”
Reflecting on his diverse career, Larson expressed gratitude for the opportunities afforded to him, particularly during his tenure with the county, where he experienced the benefits of earning vacation and sick leave for the first time in his working life.
“All the other jobs I’d ever had… if I didn’t work I didn’t get paid. My time at the county was fun and rewarding, I met a lot of people. My body couldn’t do it anymore but my mind says I want so much more to get done at the courthouse,” he said. “I’m proud of the new heating and cooling system, the new parking lot and the 4-H building shaping up well.”
In addition to volunteering alongside his brother, Roger, for Feeding South Dakota’s mobile food distribution, taking treats to children at the local daycare operated by his daughter Kelsey, and serving as the Vice Commander and the Athletic Director of the Springs VFW Post 5548, Larson and his wife Connie are planning their first vacation together in decades.
“This summer we’re going to the Black Hills — my wife and I haven’t had a vacation for probably 25 years together. We never got to go at the same time because we both have been working,” Larson reflected. “Retirement looks very different, I’m looking forward to doing things I haven’t done. I hope to get to go to more baseball games. I enjoy taking treats to the daycare kids. It’s a pretty tough job but I think I can take care of it.”