Larson, Arlene I. (Sorenson) 1936 - 2024
LARSON, SORENSON, JACOBSON, HAUGE, STATZER, KASIK, WILLIAMS, HAUGEBAK, CARRIGAN, PEARCE, WOOD, DOSTAL, BEARD
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 10/12/2024 at 11:43:43
Arlene I. (Sorenson) Larson, age 87, of Decorah, Iowa hit the celestial trail on August 21, 2024, at Aase Haugen Senior Services. Her daughters were present to provide hugs and help pack her snackle box.
Funeral Service will be held at Decorah Lutheran Church, on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., with Rev. Peter Kowitz presiding. Burial will follow at Canoe Ridge Cemetery.
Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at Decorah Lutheran.
A celebration of life will be held from 2 p.m.-7 p.m., at All Vets Club (VFW Post 1977), 104 State Street, Decorah, Iowa.
Arlene was born on Oct 3, 1936 to Leonard and Katherine Sorenson in Decorah Iowa. The 2nd of 7 kids, she helped keep the house and siblings in order. After high school graduation, she worked secretarial jobs in St. Paul and Cedar Rapids. She married Duane N Larson on January 20, 1957. They raised 3 daughters on a Decorah acreage, teaching them to work, play hard, strive for fairness and compassion, and that there is a (re)use for just about anything. While her house never looked cluttered, she had an amazing amount of treasures and keepsakes from friends and family. She documented with photos, journals, and newspaper clippings of every event in our lives. In later years if Arlene had a cough or sniffle, her daughters opined that she should “Go clean the attic and your dresser drawers”. She would snort-laugh and reply, “Your project, not mine”. She wasn’t joking. Her daughters began sorting the house and came across this note she wrote in 1993. So, in her own words: “As I sat at a memorial service, I have reflected on many things in my life that I have to be thankful for, Friends, family and places all play a part in the good things of life. Our girls are a big part of the special feelings that are treasured. Duane, the kind, loving, stubborn, caring husband and father, made my life very satisfying. Our sons-in-law are wonderful. The girls choose well. They are all special in their own ways. I love them as sons. So many people have made a difference in my life. My church is the rock that has been there for me through tough and happy times. Many people have come through the doors of our home, some to visit, and some to stay for a while. All have had a special place in my heart, and I think of them as extended family. Laughter is the most important thing in life!! Skiing, horse riding, golf, playing cards, bowling, lefse making parties, traveling, and big picnics all contributed to many fun times. I wouldn't trade them for anything. Nieces and nephews brought joy and fun. I'm thankful they are so loving. My brothers, sisters, and in-laws are also important in this lifelong jog. So many good times were spent with them. I have gotten to see and do many things in this lifetime, and I'm not done yet. When I am, I will be grateful to all who have made my life so good. “ Signed, Arlene Oct 93 In the 31 years since Arlene penned her gratitude, she added many friends and experiences traveling around most of the US and Canada. Duane would fire up the van, Arlene would load her cooler of deliciousness and as one friend observed, we all acted like collie pups prancing with excitement and barking, “I wanna go, I wanna go, too!”. They had an exciting adventure driving thru South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zaire. The friends they met visited them in Iowa several times. People were drawn to her optimism. She was on one of these road trips in Nova Scotia when her first grandchild was born. She joyfully welcomed three more. Arlene relished the special and lenient (Hey! We never got away with that!) bond with her grandkids teaching them skills and games. She saddled many a horse to help them learn to ride. She and Duane would put on costumes to make holidays delightful and every gathering an often hilarious event. She was the conductor on Duane’s homemade train full of kids at local events. She helped her church in many capacities, including 30-plus years organizing the Decorah Lutheran Church Nordic Fest Supper. Arlene and Duane never hesitated to help out their kids with house projects in Alaska, Colorado, or Decorah. Arlene was preceded in death by Duane, her husband of 65 years, her parents and brothers, Lester, Elmer, and Arnie Sorenson and brother-in-law, Bud Jacobson, and Duane’s siblings, Marcella (Burt)Hauge, Merle(Dean)Statzer, Lorraine(Frank)Kasik, Dorothy(Burton)Williams, Thelma Louise(Marle)Haugebak, Norma Carrigan, Norman Larson.
She is survived by daughters, Jackie (Steve)Pearce, Patricia (Steve)Wood, grandchildren Carolynn and Travis, Tracy(Wayne)Dostal, and grandchildren Tyler and Cody(Sara). Her sisters, Edna Jacobson, Marilyn (Jay)Beard, and brother Dale (Connie)Sorenson. Sisters-in-law, Cindy Larson, and Gerry Sorenson. A multitude of Godchildren, nephews, nieces, and friends around the world.
We will miss her sense of humor, her fabulous cooking/cleaning (except for attics) and organizational skills, her ability to adapt to any situation no matter how strange, her cut-throat card playing, her care for animals and underdogs, and her brilliant smile. Thanks, Mom, for a lifetime of great stories, advice, and memories. We'll trace your road trip through the clouds until we catch up.
Source: Helms Funeral Home database
Canoe Ridge Lutheran Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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