Donowan Glenn Larson

Donowan Larson, 88, of Alcester, SD, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Hawarden, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 27, 2026, at Alcester Baptist Church in Alcester, SD. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service starting at 6:00 p.m., on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Wass Funeral Home in Alcester, SD. Burial will take place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Alcester, SD.

Donowan Glenn Larson was born January 1, 1938 in Hawarden IA to parents Glenn and Doris (Bjork) Larson. He died April 22, 2026 at the age of 88. He was a lifelong resident of Alcester SD and a staple in the community. He and his sister Marydell went to school together at Alcester Public School from which he graduated in 1956. While still in school, Donowan worked for a local creamery and the movie theater. Donowan served in the Air National Guard in his young adulthood. Donowan first started his working career at Alcester Public Schools as a janitor and bus driver. Given his work ethic and intelligence, he was asked to become the first business manager. Donowan had a 40-year career as the Alcester-Hudson Public Schools Business Manager. He retired from that position in 2003. Governor Mike Rounds declared April 23, 2003 “Donowan Larson Day” in honor of his retirement and outstanding career.

Donowan met Marlys Sogn while driving her bus route. Once she graduated, they started courting and married on June 24, 1967. They moved into a home on Dakota Street in Alcester. This was the home they welcomed Tiffany, Tristen and Darren into and Donowan lived in until his death. Donowan was a wonderful father and even better grandfather. He tried not to miss any of the grandkids' events and continued to visit friends and community members up until the week before his death. He instilled the importance of making memories into his children and some of the best memories were of their family trips to visit the California relatives. They would pack up the station wagon or van and drive out to California and back, finding adventure along the way. Donowan generously took his grown children and grandkids to California twice to experience the beach, Disneyland and of course a Dodgers game. Donowan was a lifelong Dodgers fan often reminding people that he used to listen to games on the radio when they were the Brooklyn Dodgers. A highlight for him was when he and his son Darren made a last-minute trip to watch the Dodgers play in a World Series game in 2018. Along with the Dodgers, he was also a Dallas Cowboys fan. Besides his family, Donowan’s other love was golf. He and Marlys played couples league and passed on that love of golf to the next generations. He played in the senior league every year he was eligible including last year at the age of 87. He enjoyed collecting golf and sports memorabilia.

Donowan was an active member of Alcester Baptist Church and held several leadership roles throughout his years attending there. He had a strong faith and lived out that faith by being a loyal friend, helpful servant and loving presence to so many. He held a lot of leadership roles within the community of Alcester and held a seat on the South Dakota Business Managers board. On August 30, 2024, Donowan's family and friends gathered to honor him as his plaque in the Alcester Walk of Fame was being dedicated.

Donowan is survived by his daughter Tiffany (Larson) and Jason Jund; son Darren and Rebecca (Ward) Larson. Grandchildren Jayce, Jamisyn, Jaidyn and Jayla Jund; Major and Deacon Larson. Special friend Marie Lykken; Brother-in-laws Lynn Coleman, Elmer Hammer and Darrel (Carole) Sogn; several nieces and nephews and the extended cousins in California (Ireland family).

Donowan was preceded in death by his wife Marlys, daughter Tristen (Larson) Merriman, sister Marydell Ronning, Sisters-in-law Lorna (Sogn) Hammer, Beverly (Sogn) Coleman, Mary (Sogn) Bowman and Brothers-in-law Harold Ronning, Eugene (Bow) Bowman and Lance Sogn; parents Glenn and Doris (Bjork) Larson.