Wallace Corcoran M.M. Larsen died Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at Highview in the Woodlands in Rockton Illinois, after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. He was born in Berwyn, IL on March 16, 1943 to Walter F. and Constance J. Larsen. Wally graduated from Glenbard West High School, Glen Ellyn IL, in 1962. He married Nancy Short on May 12, 1962.
Wally began employment as a Master Baker at Larsen’s Most Excellent Bakeries in LaGrange, IL. He changed careers and began working in the publishing industry, beginning with Life Newspapers in LaGrange Park, IL and continuing to Branch-Smith Publishing in Fort Worth, TX, where he became Vice President of Publishing.
Wally was a member of Hinsdale, IL Chamber of Commerce and Hinsdale Rotary Club. He was the Civil Defense Director for the Village of LaGrange. He was a Boy Scout Master and Little League Coach. In 1983, Wally and Nancy moved to Fort Worth, TX, where they lived for 30 years. Wally joined the Moslah Temple in Fort Worth and became a member of the Fort Worth Rotary Club. After his retirement, he volunteered at Baylor Southwest Hospital in Fort Worth, during which time he trained and managed the volunteers program. After both Wally and Nancy retired, they moved to South Beloit, IL to be close to their family. At that time, Wally and Nancy volunteered at the Swedish American Regional Cancer Center. Wally also enjoyed sports and was an avid fisherman and golfer. Wally and Nancy discovered their love of traveling while in Texas and traveled throughout the United States and internationally, including the Orient and Europe. They also became frequent cruisers.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Short); three children, Constance Chapman (Merry), Daniel Larsen (T.J. Deceased), and Mark Larsen; grandchildren, Sarah Batzel (Justin), Adam Benkendorf (Brittany), Courtney and Claire Larsen, Lauren Thompson (Wade), Will Chapman (Jessica) and four great-grandchildren. Brothers Walter Larsen (Joanne Deceased) and George Larsen (Sandy) and sister-in-law Andy Larsen. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Stephen Larsen.
Service will be at Sunset Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens on Saturday, July 21, 2018. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Swedish American Regional Cancer Center at Swedish American Foundation, 1415 East State St., Suite 100, Rockford IL 61104. Please identify that the donation is for “Cancer Center/Wally Larsen”.
Visit www.sunsetfhmemgardens.com for more details.
