Vera Larsen

Vera M. Larsen, age 88, of Willmar died Friday afternoon, May 3, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Services will 11 A.M. Thursday, May 9, at First Presbyterian Church in Willmar. The interment will be in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call from 5-7 PM Wednesday at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and at the church 1 hour prior to the services.

Vera Mae Larsen was born on January 23, 1925, in Staples, Minnesota, the daughter of Norman and Alice (Wayne) Williams. At a young age, she moved with her family to Tennessee and later to Indiana. She worked in wartime production factories during World War II. On July 2, 1946, she married John Thomas Larsen and they made their home in Bethany, Missouri. In 1950, they moved to Benson, Minnesota and to Willmar in 1954. Following John's death in 1968 she worked for Elmquist Jewelry until her retirement in 1995. Vera was active in her church, women's circle and in scouting. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting and baking and endless supply of brownies, cookies and bread. All of her hobbies centered around her family and friends.

She is survived by her five children: James (and Joyce) Larsen of Olivia, Paul (and Linda) Larsen of St. Francis, Terri Brandt of Webster, Mark (and Lisa) Larsen of Lake Lillian and Nancy (and Brad) Johnson of Willmar; eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, besides other relatives and friends.

Vera was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John in 1968; a son, John Thomas Larsen, Jr. in 2011; a great-granddaughter, Lillian Johnson; and two brothers, Kenneth Williams and Irvin Williams.