Eileen Vernice Larson

Services to Celebrate the Life of Eileen V. Larson will be conducted from Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend David Sites and Intern Margaret Jacobus, officiating. Interment will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery (ten miles north and two miles east) of Arapahoe in Gosper County, Nebraska at 2:00 p.m.

Eileen Vernice Larson, 85 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. Eileen was born September 30, 1923 on the family farm in Red Willow County near Bartley, Nebraska, the eldest of three children born to Fredrich Henry and Hermine Wilimine "Minnie" (Hermes) Monter. When Eileen was one year of age, the family moved from Bartley, Nebraska to a farm north of Arapahoe. She received her primary education from a rural school and then transferred to the Mascot School when her family moved to a farm near Oxford. Eileen then completed her education from Arapahoe High School, graduating with the class of 1941; followed by Normal Training to receive her teaching credentials. She then taught school for two years.

While attending Arapahoe Public Schools and Trinity Lutheran Church, Eileen met Charles Andrew Larson and on July 11, 1943 she was united in marriage and to this union nine children were born: Doris, Robert, Paul, Kathryn, Joanne, Marilyn, Timothy, Neil and Lorna. Charles and Eileen lived near Arapahoe for 30 years, farming and raising their family. Her dedication to her family was evident in everyday life, as she focused on cooking, gardening, and sewing her children's clothing in her effort to provide for her large family in a self-sufficient manner. In addition, she was involved with 4-H Club and served as a leader. In 1973, they sold the farm and the couple began a new adventure. Charles accepted a position with Farmland CO-OP. Eileen took an accounting course from Hastings Community College at the Arapahoe High School. She then got a part-time job at Norton Sheet Metal. Eileen often recalled, "It was fun making out statements instead of receiving them." Later in years, the couple resided in Oxford, Nebraska where Eileen drove a school bus and enjoyed the friendship bonds and memories formed with the children. With Charles' work throughout the years they resided in Norton, Kansas, Oxford, Nebraska, Yale, South Dakota, and O'Neil, Nebraska before finally settling in Holdrege in 1982.

Eileen and Charles loved taking many trips together, playing Pinochle and Yahtzee with friends and enjoyed square dancing. She was devoted to her church wherever she lived. Eileen was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, where serving in many capacities; was an active member of the Lions Club and also a member of the Art and Quilt Guilds. Eileen enjoyed many hobbies including: quilting, sewing, painting, knitting, crocheting, canning, gardening, playing Mexican Train Dominoes and Pinochle. On May 4, 1999, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles. Since November of 2007, she made her home at Holdrege Memorial Homes, where she received loving care and fellowship by the staff and residents.

She leaves to mourn her passing her nine children: Doris Besch and her husband, Ron of Hayward, Wisconsin, Bob Larson of Holdrege and his fiancé, Harriett Meeker of Greeley, Colorado, Paul Larson and his wife, Sherry of Omaha, Nebraska, Kathryn Eshelman and her husband, Robert of Penrose, Colorado, Jo Johnson and her husband, Steve of Gilbert, Arizona, Marilyn Gettinger and her husband, Steve of Anderson, Indiana, Tim Larson and his wife, Donna of Littleton, Colorado, Neil Larson of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Lorna Larson of Lawrence, Kansas; fifteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister, Dolores Hoefs of Arapahoe, sister-in-law, Sally Monter of Richland, Washington and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; great-grandson, John Mark Larson II; son-in-law, Joe Tomlinson; brother, Dewey Monter and brother-in-law, Danny Hoefs.

Eileen will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Friday, April 10, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her memory and kindly suggested to the Bethel Lutheran Church, Holdrege Memorial Homes or to the donor's choice.

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 the arrangements.