Larsen, Phyllis LaVonne (Lebeck) (1937 - 2025)

LARSEN, LEBECK, PAGANIS, CONROY, KNUDSEN, SIECK

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 6/20/2025 at 13:55:46

Name of deceased: Phyllis LaVonne Larsen (nee Lebeck)

Aged: 87 yrs, 11 mo, 14 days

Residence: Harlan, IA

Born: June 10, 1937; Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Died: May 27, 2025; Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Monday, June 2, 2025; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, IA; burial was in the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, IA

Survived by: Children, Lance (spouse, Lori) Larsen of Harlan, IA, and Lona Paganis of Fayetteville, AR; grandchildren, James (spouse, Chandler) Paganis, Julia (spouse, Patton) Conroy, and Michael Larsen; great-grandchildren, Thea & Chapman Paganis and Bennett & Dawson Conroy; sister, Lorie Knudsen of Harlan, IA; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Helen (nee Sieck) and Arnold Lebeck; husband, Leroy Larsen; daughter, Lanette Larsen; brothers, Lynn and Gary Lebeck; brother-in-law, Dan Knudsen

Education: Attended grade school at Monroe Township #1 Country School and graduated from Walnut High School, Class of 1955, with scholastic honors. Following her graduation, Phyllis attended Morningside College where she earned a 2- year professional teaching degree.

Religious affiliation: Very active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, IA. She held many different roles there including bell choir director, bible school teacher and music director, Luther League sponsor, call committee, confirmation teacher, Sunday school superintendent and teacher, circle leader, young adult sponsor, and lastly the president of the women of the church for more than 15 years. She also served as a local and state officer for 9 years for the American Lutheran Church Women.

Military service: n/a

Marriage: Leroy Larsen; July 27, 1958; location not provided

Employment: With her 2-year teaching degree, she taught at 6 different schools as an elementary school teacher. For more than 15 years, she also managed The Mustard Seed, where she sold Christian books, music, gifts, and so much more; she loved connecting with so many people while she did it. After her marriage, she enjoyed becoming a farmer’s wife, helping to run the Larsen family farm.

Hobbies/Interests: Very active member of her community, spending her time being a 4-H leader, being the band parent president, coordinating the March for Jesus, and being a part of the Aglow leadership team. In her free time, she loved to bake treats for her family, church and community. She will be remembered by those who knew her by her gentle spirit, her many hours of playing cards, love of music, her skills in the kitchen, and her deep devotion to God.

Sources: Kjan.com; pauleyjones.com