Strahan M. Larsen
May 28, 1973 – Aug. 10, 2025
Strahan M. Larsen was born May 28, 1973, at Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. He was the son of Rev. Steven and Heidi Larsen. He was confirmed by his father May 4, 1986, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Long Beach, Calif.
Strahan graduated from Denver Lutheran High School in 1991. He earned an associate degree in 1995 from Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, Calif.; a bachelor’s degree in 2004 from Concordia University Texas in Austin, Texas; and a master’s degree in 2011 from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo.
Due to his father’s service as an LCMS chaplain in the U.S. Air Force, Strahan experienced life in many places including Mississippi, North Dakota, Washington, California, Indiana, Colorado, Missouri, and Japan. His adult life led him to Nebraska, Texas, and back to Missouri.
It was during his time in Nebraska that he spotted the girl he was going to marry, Sara Rotermund. After she finally got the courage to say “hi” to that long-haired, goatee-wearing, guitar-playing guy, the two began their life together and were married May 30, 1998, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sedalia, Mo.
They lived in Texas for seven years. During that time, Strahan suffered a tragic injury that left him in a wheelchair for many months. Even so, he volunteered at the school where Sara was teaching—an experience that led him to his true calling: education. Determined to walk into his first class at Concordia University Texas without a wheelchair, he persevered through physical therapy and showed up using only a cane.
Their first son, Stettler, was born in 2005. That same year, Strahan accepted his first call to teach at St. Paul’s Lutheran Elementary School in Concordia, Mo. The plan was to stay two years, but clearly the Lord had a better plan. Strahan and Sara established their home in Concordia and welcomed their second son, Scout, in 2008.
Over the next 20 years, Strahan earned a master’s degree, raised his sons, coached their soccer teams, and enjoyed watching them play every sport they took on. He poured time and care into preparing engaging lessons and was passionate about bringing learning to life for his students.
Strahan was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in fourth grade. Living with the disease for more than 40 years gave him a deep compassion for others, and he became a mentor for students navigating the same diagnosis. He served his family, congregation, students, and the community with a quiet, faithful, and loving heart.
The Lord decided Strahan’s earthly work was complete the afternoon of Aug. 10, 2025.
He is survived by his wife, Sara Larsen, of the home; his parents, Rev. Steven and Heidi Larsen of Lake Jackson, Texas; his sons, Stettler Larsen of Independence, Mo., and Scout Larsen of Concordia, Mo.; and one sister, Ande Larsen (Justin Janis) of Lake Jackson, Texas.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Concordia. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Grade School or Saint Paul Lutheran High School.