In Memoriam, Louie Larson, 1931-2025

WillysMpls

WillysMpls

Bigger Hammer
Oct 1, 2021
65
Bloomington MN
First Name
Tom
Willys Model
  1. CJ
Willys Year:
  1. 1951
I am sad to announce that my father, Louie Larson, passed away January 1st 2025 at 93. Some of you may remember him as the owner of Willys Mpls in Farmington MN. He had a life-long addiction to the Jeep since his family purchased a surplus MB or GPW after he returned from the Korean War, to use on the farm. In the mid-60's he worked for Kaiser Jeep as a zone Service Rep, then in 1966 he partnered with the owners of Park Jeep in St.Louis Park MN to open a new Jeep dealership in Burnsville MN, Gopher Jeep. He left Gopher Jeep in 1972 and pursued other business interests, but always had his hands on Willys Jeeps. He was a founding member of the Minnesota Go-4 Wheelers and the MIdwest 4WD Association. As a side hobby, he sold Willys parts from his garage, then in 1983 he partnered with two other local enthusiasts and made Willys Mpls an official business. We started out in a warehouse in Lakeville MN, then purchased our own building in Farmington a few years later. While he sold the business 2003, he never fully retired and continued to provide some minor services, specializing in remanufacturing Willys carbs. In 2009, he participated in the MVPA's Lincoln Highway Convoy, and drove his 1941 Slat-Grille MB from Washington DC to San Fransisco.
Unfortunately, in the months following his return his health began to deteriorate, mainly his back and hips. Then in 2019 he contracted guillain-barre syndrome which left him paralysed from the neck down. He spent 6 months in the Minneapolis VA hospital, and thru the efforts of the doctors and therapists there, he walked out in May of 2020. While his general health was good, he never recovered full mobility, and this contributed to a slowly increasing decline in his general health which culminated in a quick decline over the last month.
We will miss him greatly....
Tom Larson
 
I'm very sorry to hear of this Tom. I spoke to Louie a few times on the phone over the years, and met him once, decades ago at some long forgotten jeep function. He was definately a force in the jeep world for many years. He will be missed. Condolances and prayers to you and his family.

-Jeff
 
Tom, Thank You for providing the information. I always wondered where his screen name of Gopher Jeep came from.
His departing leaves a huge gap in the Willys Universe.

I'm glad to know that you and Lee are continuing the family tradition.
May he rest in peace. Prayers for you and your family and loved ones.

I had a friend with guillain-barre syndrome that battled it for 1-2 years. He eventually recovered but it was a tough time.
 
Deepest condolences on your loss. What a great man. Here are a few historical pics of Gopher Jeep from the Burnsville Historical Society (via FB):

"The dealership first opened its doors in 1957, where it was originally located in Saint Louis Park Minnesota. The current location is on what was one of the oldest farms in Burnsville (Conroy's), which would now be approaching its 150th year. The new Burnsville dealership, called Gopher Jeep, opened on Highway 13 in 1969, and became Park Gopher Jeep in 1971 when the Saint Louis Park location was closed. In 1973 it again changed the name back to Park Jeep. In 2005 the dealerships Park Chrysler of Burnsville and Park Jeep merged to become Park Chrysler Jeep.

These winter photos circa 1969 show the Conroy barn being used as a sales office."
IMG_0556.jpegIMG_0555.jpeg

And one of Park Jeep Sales (source):
Captura-de-pantalla-2024-04-09-15.05.52.jpg
 
I am so sorry to hear that Louie is gone, my condolences to you. I moved to Minnesota in 84 and bought a 79 CJ-7 from Park Jeep, I lived in Lakeville. When I got my 62 Willys Utility Delivery in 92, I found Louie in Farmington and I couldn't have found a more helpful, kind, and generous guy. He helped me identify what my wagon really was and found a few NOS parts for me. When I moved away in 95, he told me he was thinking of selling his business. I really missed all his knowledge, he knew everything about Jeeps and Willys. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
 
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