Dallas Keith Larson, 83

Dallas Keith Larson, 83, of Woodstock, Illinois, passed away Friday, July 24th, 2026 at Valley Hi Nursing Home in Woodstock.

He was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 14th, 1943 to Russell and LaVerne (Olsen) Larson as part of the fourth generation of Larsons from Chicago, and grew up in the Edgebrook neighborhood. He attended high school at North Park Academy and later earned his bachelor’s degree at North Park College (now University). He went on to earn his Master of Hospital Administration from the Business School (now the Ross School of Business) at the University of Michigan. On March 9th, 1968, he married Ellen Rautenberg in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dallas proudly served our country in the United States Navy, active duty, during the Vietnam War. His many accomplishments and accolades include serving as the president and chief executive officer of seven different healthcare organizations including hospitals, health systems, and Woodstock Christian Life Services, writing two books, and receiving recognition as a Life Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and as a Paul Harris Fellow. His love for volunteering and community service led him to be on four boards of directors simultaneously toward the end of his active years including Valley Hi Nursing Home and the Woodstock Historical Commission. He was a mentor and advisor to many, including a chance meeting with world-renowned fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger very early in Mr. Hilfiger’s career! He was also someone who believed in giving people second chances, as he always saw the good in people.

He will be remembered for his love and dedication to his family (almost never missing each evening’s family dinner no matter how busy he was), his keen sense of humor, his expertise as an avid collector of many things, his extensive knowledge as a television and movie buff, and his uncanny ability to solve crossword puzzles and assemble jigsaw puzzles. He was also a huge sports fan, always pulling for the Chicago Cubs (watching his first game in 1950), Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, the University of Michigan Wolverines, and the North Park University Vikings. For someone who loved giving gifts far more than receiving them, his life was a gift to all who knew and loved him. And in one of his greatest achievements, after the passing of his son Reed, he co-led along with Ellen the family’s efforts in endowing a scholarship at North Park University in Reed’s memory. Less than a year after Reed’s passing, the first scholarship was awarded to a student in need and for the past 25 years students have benefited from this fund.

He is survived by his wife Ellen; sons, Kirk (Jodi) Larson and Evan (Danielle) Larson; grandson, Garett Larson; brothers, Barry (Illona) Larson and Randy Larson; sisters-in-law, Sharon Gould and Christine Rautenberg; nieces and nephews, Amy (Rich) Price, Chad Larson, Jordan (Brittany) Larson, Arial (Gregg) Perkins, Anne (Kevin) Coyner, and Karl (Kari) Jungclaus; great nieces and great nephews, Juliet Price, Haley Larson, James Larson, Brielle Perkins, Finn Reed Perkins, Willow Coyner, Miles Jungclaus, and Wyatt Jungclaus; as well as many other extended relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Reed Garett Larson; his sister, Kylee Larson; his father-in-law Edmund Rautenberg; and his mother-in-law Evelyn Rautenberg.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 29th, 2026 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Schneider Leucht Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 North Seminary Avenue in Woodstock. The funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road in Woodstock with Pastor Amanda Bergstrom officiating, followed by military honors provided by the Woodstock VFW Post 5040 Honor Guard. Interment will be private.

In honor of his love for North Park University and his joyous reunion with his son Reed, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to North Park University for the Reed Larson Memorial Fund.