Florence Larson

Florence Elizabeth Holien Larson was born on December 15, 1932, in Montevideo, Minnesota, the daughter of Christ and Clara (Lerohl) Holien . She was the youngest of seven children that grew up on the family farm where the Hawk Creek meets the Spring Creek near Maynard. She received her education in country schools and graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1950. After high school, Florence went to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She graduated in 1954 with majors in social science and education. She was a four year member of the Luther College Concert band and was involved in student government. On December 19, 1954, at the Wang Lutheran Church near Maynard, Florence was united in marriage to Conrad E. Larson. For a year she and Conrad taught school in Mora, Minnesota. In 1955, they moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where Conrad entered graduate school and Florence taught in the Ypsilanti, Michigan schools. In 1959, Florence received a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan in education. After Conrad received his M.D., they moved to Toledo, Ohio where she taught school in Norwood, Ohio. Their two children were born in Toledo, Ohio, Eric and Kristin. After Conrad completed his residency, they moved to Traverse City, Michigan and later to Decorah, Iowa. In Decorah, Florence was an instructor in Educational Psychology and Student Teacher Supervisor at Luther College. In 1975, they moved to Willmar. Florence was an active member of Vinje Lutheran Church and the Willmar community. She served on the church council and as council president, Release Time Director for third through sixth grade children, Esther Circle, Green Lake Bible Camp board and co-chairman, the Willmar HRA chairman, Rice Hospital Auxiliary and state board member, President of the Minnesota State Medical Alliance and as Advisory Committee Chairman for the West Central Community Services Center. In 1979, Florence received the Distinguished Service Award from Luther College.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Conrad E. Larson of Wayzata; one son, Eric (and Karen) Larson of Apple Valley; one daughter, Kristin (and Kevin) Amundson of Golden, Colorado; two granddaughters, Hannah and Heidi Larson and one sister, Evelyn Underwood of Morris, besides other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Clifford and Walter Holien and three sisters, Gladys Hovda, Bertha Weisbrod and Helen Velde.