On Tuesday, a retirement party was held at Don's Auto & Tire for Steve "Smiley" Larson, who will be retiring on April 28 after 26 years. He had quite a full house for the party, with several visitors cycling in and out during the four-hour timeframe.
His loss will be great to the business, according to owner Mary Frerk.
Larson has always been known for his jovial demeanor and a large knowledge of vehicles, though he said that now, you've gotta know computers in order to work on them.
When asked if he had worked elsewhere, he joked, "Of course- I'm old!"
Larson had farmed until 1994, then switched gears, working first for Rodney Lowe then for Don and Mary starting in 1996, and finally with Brad Frerk after Don's passing.
He intends to go back to farming with his son, Ryan, though he joked that he was going back to waterskiing for a living.
"He will be missed," Mary said.
UPDATE 4/20/23: The original article implied the party was only two hours; it was open from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m.
