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Pat Larson was a quiet, yet passionate, tenacious, and dedicated advocate for protecting the beautiful lakes, forests, and natural environment of Cass County - all the attributes that make our area such a great place to live, work, and play. Pat passed away on April 29, 2013, but she has left a legacy of protected resources for Minnesotans to enjoy forever.

When Pat and her husband, Phil, moved permanently to Cass County in 2001 she left behind the city life of Coon Rapids and many active church and social advocate pursuits and took up the cause of protecting the natural resources of the region surrounding her new home on Mule Lake - a place she loved. She put that love into action by serving on the board of directors of the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation from 1999 to 2011 and as chair from 2003-2009.

"Pat was chair through very significant structural and leadership changes for the Foundation. It was a volunteer job with nearly full time responsibilities" said Doug Payne, of Miracle Bible Camp and former board director. "Fortunately she was a savvy business woman who brought commitment, persistence and organization to a predominately male board. She was never intimidated - she listened and lead by example with a contagious 'can do" attitude." Former Foundation director Gary Lyall of Woman Lake added "And while many of the directors were elsewhere in the winter, Pat was always the steadfast leader 'covering home base' partnering with the county, state, and lake associations to help the Foundation accomplish its conservation goals."

The Mule Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Project was the most notable of many accomplishments by the Foundation under Pat's leadership. The project protected over three miles of shoreline and 300 acres on Mule Lake that is now managed by the MN DNR for public hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and other recreational pursuits. She and former director, Tom Buss, raised over $80,000 in private funds towards the land purchase. John Steward, a DNR employee who served the Foundation during that time, said: "The DNR Commissioner sent a letter congratulating us on setting a record of 22 sporting and conservation groups as partners and contributors - the most ever assembled in a DNR land acquisition project. We often visited about how supporter's many prayers brought the partner count from 22 to 23 with the divine intervention."

The Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation (LLAWF) has now accomplished over 40 land conservation projects protecting over 20 miles of critical shorelands and 3,500 acres of upland since 1995. These projects, always with willing landowners, benefit fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, recreational enjoyment, and economic sustainability for a region highly dependent on tourism.

Pat, we will miss you but with every project we do your leadership paves the way to success.[[In-content Ad]]

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