Gilbert C. Larsen of Ludington passed away on September 19, 2018. He was born in Ludington to Edward W. and Eleanor Kruse Larsen on February 29, 1924. He attended Ludington schools and graduated from Cadillac High School. Gil joined the U.S. Army in 1943. He served in the ETO during World War II in the 3rd Army as a staff sergeant. His unit served in England, France, Germany, and Austria and was awarded five theater ribbons and four overseas bars.

Gilbert married Marguerite (Peggy) Wagner, RN, on October 2, 1954. They had two daughters Amy and Becky.

Gilbert had deep interest in public education and served thirty-six years as a member of the Mason Lake Intermediate School District as a trustee and board president. He also served on the Ludington Area Board of Education for eight years as a trustee and board president. He was active in the Michigan Association of School Boards. He furthered his commitment to education by taking over 600 hours of classes and completing the requirements of the Diamond award for distinguished service to education. He received an award from the National School Boards Association for serving on two boards at the same time.

Gil was a past president of the Ludington Optimist Club and especially liked participating in their OSCAR program mentoring third graders at Foster School. Gil was awarded a Life membership for service to the local club. He also served as lieutenant governor for the zone. In 1982, he was named Optimist of the Year.

Gil was a 70 year member of Edwin H. Ewing, Post 76, the American Legion. He served several terms as commander of the post, as well as treasurer and chairman of the board of trustees. The local post awarded him a Life membership for service to veterans. Gil was also a member of the Mason County Allied Veterans' Council and served a term as its president.

Gil served as the 5th Ward council member for three terms and served as member and chair of many committees. He also served as mayor pro tem and chairman of the fire and police committee.

Gil was a founding member of the Ludington Ambassadors and a member of the Ludington Chamber of Commerce Board. He was also the Ludington representative on the Mason County Waste Committee and was a member of the Downtown Development Commission. Gil was a long time member of the Mason County District Library Board.

He often joked that on a good week he could eat lunch every day at a different meeting.

Gil was a member of the Danish Brotherhood Lodge 51 and served as its president and chair of the board of trustees. The Lodge awarded him a Life Membership for his service to the club.

He was also a longtime member of Bethany Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday school, Bible study, and served as president of the board. One of his favorite activities was to chair the church supper committee. In his early eighties, he volunteered to run the church bazaar when "none of the old ladies would do it". He also served on the ELCA finance committee for the Michigan synod.

Gil was a member of the Vintage Motoring Club of Mason County where, not surprisingly, he served as president even though he did not own a vintage car.

Gil retired in 1984 as the General Manager of the Ludington Daily News. He belonged to many of the press associations and served as president of the Michigan League of Home Daily Newspapers.

In his spare time Gil was an avid reader who enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing Pinochle, and beating all challengers at Scrabble.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy; his parents Edward and Chloris Larsen; and his brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Jeanne Larsen.

He is survived by daughters Amy (David) Frost and Becky (Jim) Larsen; grandchildren Kalli (Patrick) Zielbauer and Jake (Kelly DeNeef) Naessens, Ryan and Logan Hough, Cooper and Audrey Frost; great grandchildren Joanna and Gregory Zielbauer,; sisters-in-law Rita Wagner, Patti Genter, and Roberta Wagner; brother-in-law Michael Wagner; nephew Paul (Juanita) Larsen; niece Megan (Grant) Sheckler; and great nephews.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution may consider the Ludington Public Library.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 PM, Sunday, September 23, 2018, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel, Ludington. The family will receive friends Sunday from 2:00 PM until time of services at the funeral home.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com