Merna Larson

A Memorial Service for Merna Larson will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Fridhem Lutheran Church, Funk, Nebraska, with Pastor Daren Popple officiating.  Private inurnment will be held prior to the service at Highland Cemetery, Bertrand, Nebraska.

Merna Jean (Awe) Larson, 97 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska, formerly of Funk, passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at Holdrege Memorial Homes. Merna was born in Bertrand, on March 27, 1927, the youngest of three children, born to Fredrick Carl and Elfrieda Louise (Gerdau) Awe.  She attended Bertrand Public Schools and was active with music, playing the violin in Orchestra in the fourth grade.  She won superior in National Baton Twirling in 1941 and graduated as Valedictorian with the class of 1944.

Merna then attended Kearney State College and taught at rural schools in Phelps and Gosper Counties.  On August 17, 1951, Merna was united in marriage to Harold "Don" Larson at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege.  The couple made their home north of Funk and later purchased the original Victor Larson Homestead.  They were blessed with four sons:  Danny, Douglas, Dale and David.

Together the family enjoyed fishing, hunting, tending to livestock, and spending time with the large, extended Larson family, for the annual camping holiday, affectionately called, Kids Day.  Don and Merna were members of, The Grange, and enjoyed trips throughout the US and visited all 50 states.

Merna was a member of the Fridhem Lutheran Church, and numerous local clubs.  She enjoyed sewing, gardening, crocheting and making Christmas decorations for all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Merna is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don Larson; two sons: Douglas in 2000; and Danny in 2014; sister, Lydia (Ebmeier) Priel; brother, Herbert Awe; and brothers-in-law, Dean Larson and Daro Larson.

Merna is survived by her sons: Dale and Pat of Holdrege; and David and Kathy of St. Paul, Nebraska; 11 grandchildren; one step granddaughter; 22 great-grandchildren; extended family members, and many friends.

Memorial Book Signing will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Merna's honor and kindly suggested to the family for future designation.

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.