Mary Josephine Larson

The funeral service is live-streamed at:  https://www.ourlivingwater.org/maryjolarson.html 

Mary Josephine Larson, age 89, of Willmar, passed away Wednesday morning, February 21, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 29, at the Church of St. Mary.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Mary Jo was born on March 22, 1934, in Aitkin, Minnesota, the daughter of Daniel and Katie (Miller) Boggs.  She lived on a farm with her parents and younger brother and sister.  She attended Aitkin Public School for the first two grades, then Maryhill Academy for grades three through eight, and graduated from Aitkin High School in 1952.

Since her parents and grandparents were in the wholesale berry business, Mary Jo learned at an early age to pick strawberries and raspberries. She was very active in 4-H, being a 4-H Leader locally and chaperoning the 4-Hers at the Minnesota State Fair.

On August 8, 1959, she was married to Harold V. Larson at the St. James Catholic Church in Aitkin.  Since Harold had a teaching contract in Willmar, the couple moved to Willmar where Mary Jo baby sat a child daily while the mother taught school.  In June of 1960, Mary Jo and Harold purchased a home in Willmar.  Mary Jo began working for the City of Willmar, first with the police department and then in the accounting office.  She retired in 1993, after working for over 30 years.

She was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and Sacristan.  For her participation in church activities, Mary Jo received The Bishop's Award.  She was also active with the Daughter's of Isabella and held local, state and international offices.

In 1996, Mary Jo and some other ladies started the D of I quilting group.  All sizes of quilts were given to needy people in the area, to Rice Hospital, Shelter House, Hospice, Hope Pregnancy and many other organizations which needed quilts.

Mary Jo had several hobbies.  For thirty-five years she was active in the Farmers Market, selling preserves and bread.  She enjoyed cooking, sewing, and handy crafts.  She and Harold traveled sixteen times to Europe, three times to Africa, and once to Asia.  They also visited every state in the union, primarily to visit family and friends in the process of searching family history.  Mary Jo and Harold were also active volunteers at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society.

She is survived by her loving husband of over 64 years, Harold; and one sister, Margaret Ann, besides other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Alfred.