NEBRASKA CITY – Employees, family and friends gathered at Larson Motors Friday for a balloon launch marking the one-year anniversary of the death of Lars Larson.

Larson, who was in fourth grade when he moved to Nebraska City with his family, and followed in his dad’s footsteps in business before his unexpected death at age 44.

At the balloon launch, Harry Larson said he was glad to see so many come out in his memory. “We’re going to release the balloons and give it a holler,” he said.

Family members attending included Lars’ wife Krissy and two daughters, Jordyn Mariah and Mira Louann.