Arlene F Larson

Memorial Services for Arlene F. Larson will be conducted on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, Nebraska with Reverend Darrel Wissmann officiating. Private family interment will be in the Fridhem Cemetery prior to the services at the church.

Arlene Fern Larson, 89 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at the Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege. She was born August 13, 1922 in Orleans, Nebraska, the eldest of two daughters born to Albert and Ruth (Blickenstaff) Swanson. She received her primary education from Harlan County School District #27 north of Orleans and then graduated from Orleans High School with the class of 1939.

After graduation, Arlene worked at the Harlan County Treasurers office in Alma, Nebraska until she relocated to Los Angeles, California, where she worked at Retail Credit and Bank of America for a year. She then returned to Holdrege, where she was employed by the First National Bank for several years.

On June 3, 1947 she was united in marriage to Ray E. Larson at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege and to this union three children were born: Bruce, Steve and Sheila. The family engaged in farming East of Funk. The couple celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary this past June.

Arlene was a strong Christian, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who instilled her love of the Lord to her family and friends.

She was a wonderful cook and baked everything from scratch. She spent many hours in the kitchen canning and preserving fruits and vegetables from her garden. She also enjoyed growing flowers, sewing and quilting and loved entertaining guests. Most of all, Arlene enjoyed spending time with her family.

She was an active member of Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, where she served as a Sunday School teacher. She was a 4-H leader, member of the Friendship Club for 50 years, and a member of the Birthday Club.

Besides her parents, Arlene was preceded in death by three sisters-in-law: Millocent Besco and her husband, Lawrence, Hildur Forsberg and her husband, Harold, Charlotte Larson; and one brother-in-law, Charles Harrington.

Survivors include her husband, Ray of Holdrege; three children: Bruce Larson and his wife, Phyllis of Brevard, North Carolina, Steve Larson and his wife, Mardell of Funk, Sheila Grieb and her husband, Chris of York, Nebraska; 7 grandchildren: Kurtis Larson and his wife, Erika, Travis Larson and his wife, Trish, Kyle Larson and his wife, Lindsay, Ryan and Brett Grieb, Brittany Larson and Sara Larson; 4 great-grandchildren: Hunter, Piper, Colton and Nolan Larson; one sister, Betty Harrington of Kearney, Nebraska; one brother-in-law, Earl Larson of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Sunday, July 22, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends form 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her memory and kindly suggested to the Fridhem Lutheran Church.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of arrangements.