Trailblazing businesswoman and Minnesota benefactor Karin Larson dies at 82

Even as she forged a trailblazing path in the corporate world and built a life in California — complete with the fast cars and fabulous parties she loved — Karin Larson stayed connected to her Minnesota roots.

Larson, who died on April 24 at age 82 at her Pacific Palisades home, quietly and generously gave important financial support to Minnesota institutions, including Minnesota Public Radio (MPR), the American Swedish Institute and Bethel University.

"She was just a wonderful person, and there's just so many people whose lives she impacted in ways that they are not aware of," said her nephew, Greg Larson. "She was OK with that. That's the way she wanted it."

Soft-spoken yet tough, Larson was born in Minneapolis — the single girl in a clan with two brothers and first cousins who were all boys. She graduated from South High School and earned a degree in business and international relations from the University of Minnesota — the first in her Swedish American, Baptist family to graduate from college.

"I was the only girl in the family, which I think worked to my advantage later in life," Larson said in a recent video produced by Bethel.

She visited family in California as a young woman and decided to stay — finding a job as a secretary at the financial services company Capital Group, where she climbed as an analyst, portfolio manager and eventually the company's first female research director.

She was managing $25 million in investments by the time she was 31. During a 1969 Los Angeles luncheon honoring Larson and four other high-achieving women, guest of honor Lucille Ball told her, "It ain't easy for women — but it's gratifying."

Larson found it especially rewarding to mentor young analysts at Capital Group.

"It turned out that was one of the best parts of my career, watching the development of other young people and providing support," she said in the Bethel video. "I didn't worry that I wasn't being recognized so much."

While Larson's job took her to New York and Tokyo, she would return to tiny Kimball, Minn., each year to spend time with family at the cabin. She also would be sure to get Swedish sausage at Ingebretsen's on Lake Street and freeze it for her annual Christmas party.

Larson had hereditary spastic paraplegia, which made it necessary for her to first use a cane and then a wheelchair later in life. Her Minnesota family would store an Audi convertible that she used during her visits, and she'd keep her wheelchair in the trunk, getting help from fellow shoppers when she needed it, her nephew said. It hurt Larson when her health no longer allowed her to drive the cars she loved and she had to switch to a modified Honda Element.

"She said she'd always be remembered for her fast cars, great parties and her margaritas. She had an old green Porsche she used to tool around in, and she loved that car," said her nephew.

A classical music lover who played the piano, Larson served on MPR's board and supported bringing music education to more than a quarter-million Minnesota kids.

Larson also supported Bethel's development, initially preferring to be anonymous. "She was always very private about giving," said Jim Bender, vice president of university advancement at the school.

Still, after she gave an eight-figure cash donation to fund Bethel's 18,000-square-foot Nelson-Larson Science Center, she agreed it should be named both for her and for her mother, who worked as a cleaner and laundress but once dreamed of becoming a nurse, Bender said.

Larson is survived by her eight nieces and nephews as well as many grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews.

Erica Pearson • Twitter: @ericalpearson