1923-ELNA LARSON-2017
Elna Garnet Larson was born on February 1, 1923 at home in Dundee, Minnesota, the third of four daughters born to Axel and Ila Olson Anderson. Elna grew up in Dundee and gradated from Fulda High School in 1940. Shortly after high school, Elna met the love of her life, Paul Larson at the Dundee Roller Skating Rink. She attended Mankato Teachers College for two years and then spent the next three years teaching in Florence and Avoca. On December 27, 1944, Elna and Paul were married at the First Lutheran Church in Dundee where she was also baptized and confirmed. The newlyweds settled on the Larson family farm, with Paul’s parents, his brother, Maynard and sister, Elsie. They shared their home with Maynard for the next 19 years and welcomed four children as well. Elna was a faithful member and willing volunteer at the Lime Lake Lutheran Church and Faith Lutheran for over 70 years. In 1989, Elna and Paul built a retirement home in Slayton. Paul passed away in 1996. In 2002, Elna moved to Sunrise Terrace, and then to Maple Lawn Nursing Home in 2010. She passed away there peacefully surrounded by family and the ever-caring staff at the age of 93 years, 11 months, and 7 days.
Elna will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Susan (Tim) Dispanet of Garvin, MN, Marcia (Ralph) Yernberg of Northfield, MN, and Nancy (Brad) Straw of Roseburg, OR, son, David Larson of Minneapolis, MN, seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and one sister-in-law, Joyce Larson of Slayton, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Paul, sisters, Eileen (Ed) Sharping, Eve Anderson, and Eloise Anderson and several other brothers and sisters-in-law.
Funeral Services Faith Lutheran Church in Avoca, MN on Friday, January 13, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Ted Kunze officiating. The pianist is her daughter, Marcia Yernberg. The pallbearers are her grandchildren. Interment is at Faith Lutheran Cemetery in Avoca, MN.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at Faith Lutheran Church in Avoca on Friday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers the family request memorial to Faith Lutheran Church, Maple Lawn Nursing Home, or to Alzheimer’s Research.
