Karen L. Larson

Celebration of Life Services for Karen L. Larson will be conducted from the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church of Holdrege, Nebraska on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Kenton Birtell, officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege following the services.

Karen LuAnn Larson, 73 years of age, of rural Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away on Friday, August 12, 2016 at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege following a courageous battle with cancer.  Karen was born May 18, 1943 at Holdrege, the second of three children born to Harold P. and Dorothy I. (Regelin) Johnson.  She was baptized and confirmed in Holdrege at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church.  She received her education from Holdrege Public Schools and graduated from Holdrege High School.

Following her education, Karen was united in marriage to Gary Arehart on May 27, 1960 and to this union four children were born:  Kevin, Kurt, Kyle and Keri.  They made their home on the Johnson Family Homestead southwest of Loomis, Nebraska, where Karen focused her efforts on raising their children and supported in the family farming operation.

On May 14, 1983 she was united in marriage to Dennis B. Larson of Bertrand and the couple enjoyed over 33 years together on a farm southeast of Bertrand.  She enjoyed working side-by-side with Dennis and often could be seen operating the tractor and combine as well.

Karen was a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister.  She was an immaculate housekeeper and always took pride in her home.  She especially had a passion for interior decorating.  Entertaining and cooking for the holidays was always a big part of her life.  She loved weekly shopping trips, dining out and being with her family.  She had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren, and always looked forward to attending their activities.  Karen and Dennis enjoyed camping and traveling together and in recent years, spending time at their cabin at Johnson Lake created many family memories.  In December of 2008, she was diagnosed with Adenoid cystic carcinoma and over the past eight years, her inner strength and courage was amazing and admired by her family.

Karen was a member of the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church and she enjoyed being a member of the TACS Extension Club for many years.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by father-in-law, Clifton Larson and brother-in-law, James A. Harris.

She leaves to celebrate her life; her husband, Dennis Larson of rural Bertrand; her four children:  Kevin Arehart and his wife, Sandy of Holdrege, and Kurt Arehart, Kyle Arehart and his wife, Ashley, and Keri Berry and her husband, Patrick all of Loomis; two step-children:  Shoni Delaney and her husband, Troy of Axtell, Nebraska and Chad Larson and his wife, Jennifer of Kearney, Nebraska; eight grandchildren: Kristen Smith and her husband, Lance, Kalen Arehart and his wife, Kayla, Alexa and Laurel Berry, Kersie and Brecklyn Delaney, and Alissa and Teagan Arehart; three great-grandchildren:  Keon and Kaylee Smith and Hudson Arehart; mother-in-law, Gladys Larson of Holdrege; two sisters: Marlys Harris of Holdrege and Marvel Nelson and her husband, Vernon James of rural Holdrege; two sisters-in-law:  Janet Beckwith of Grand Island, Nebraska and Joyce Burgeson and her husband, Jim of Arnolds Park, Iowa and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 15, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in her Karen's honor and will be designated at a later date.

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.