Larson, Shirley LaVonne Enderson (1929-2022)

LARSON, ENDERSON, THORSBAKKEN, MICHAELSON, ANDERSON, MCKINLEY, STANDKE, SEALINE

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 3/5/2023 at 11:39:36

South Hamilton Record News
Jewell, Iowa
April 6, 2022

Shirley LaVonne Enderson Larson, 93, of Story City, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday morning, April 3, 2022.

The youngest of five children in the family of Thomas and K. Marie Thorsbakken Enderson, Shirley was born January 5, 1929 and grew up in a strong Christian home on the family farm south of Stanhope. St. Paul's Lutheran Church, just down the road from the farm, was the center of the family's life and where the children learned the importance of always attending Sunday School and church. Shirley was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's.

After attending country school starting at the age of four, Shirley enrolled at Stanhope High School, where she graduated with the class of 1946. During her freshman year, Shirley caught the eye of her classmate, Dean Larson, beginning a life-long romance full of love and devotion. The couple married June 13, 1948 and celebrated 73 years together in 2021.

Dean and Shirley were blessed with two daughters and two sons, and the family resided on farms in rural Stanhope and Jewell. Shirley assisted with farming and loved being a wife and mother. An excellent cook, Shirley was always at home in the kitchen and was known for her pies as well as her mastery of the Norwegian foods of her childhood. Shirley was excellent at handwork and sewing and made cross stitch quilts for each of her children and grandchildren.

Shirley continued to serve God at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Stanhope over the years. A Sunday School and Bible School teacher, she was also Sunday School superintendent and secretary and leader of WMF.

Before it was trendy, Shirley's love of animals translated into establishing her own home-based business, Larson's Puppyland. For forty years Shirley enjoyed making people happy from all over with the little puppies she sold, but most of all she liked sharing with her customers her love for Jesus. Shirley retired from Puppyland in 1992.

Shirley and Dean enjoyed fishing, camping and boating, and often included their grandchildren. After retirement, Dean and Shirley traveled to Hawaii several times and were snowbirds in Arizona for twelve winters.

When they were 80 years old, Dean and Shirley moved off the farm to their condo in Story City. This spring they moved together to Rolling Green Village in Nevada, where Shirley passed away.

Shirley is survived by husband Dean, daughters Sonjia (Jim) Michaelson of Eldora, Deb (Darrell) Anderson of Gilbert and sons Michael (Sheila) of Stanhope and Doug (Lori) of Okauchee, Wisconsin. She leaves grandchildren Heather (Rick) McKinley, Greg (Tammy) Michaelson, Holly (Dave) Standke, Derek (Christine) Anderson, Dean Larson, Katelynn Larson, 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Arlene Sealine, Tilford, Charles and Kenneth Enderson.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 9 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 3726 Nelson Avenue, Jewell, Iowa, at 2:00. Visitation at the church starting at 12:30.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery Association.

Soderstrum Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.