Emma Marie Wilhelmine LARSON

LARSON, UNVERZAGT, GREVEN, BENGTSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/17/2007 at 13:42:07

Detroit Lakes Tribune, MN
Jan. 08, 2004

Jan. 19, 1923-Jan. 2, 2004
Emma M. Larson, 80, of Detroit Lakes, and formerly of Callaway, died Friday, January 2, 2004 at Emmanuel Nursing Home, Detroit Lakes. Emma Marie Wilhelmine Larson was born in Rugen, Germany on Jan. 19, 1923. At a very young age, she traveled to the United States, settling near Fort Dodge, Iowa. She graduated from Eagle Grove High School in Eagle Grove, Iowa, in 1941. She then taught school for a year before she met and fell in love with Alvin Larson. They married on May 22, 1942 in Badger, Iowa. In 1952, they moved to rural Dexter, Minn., where they farmed. In 1966, they moved to Laredo, Texas, to work as missionaries. In 1968, they moved to White Earth to continue their missionary work. From 1975-97, Alvin served as a pastor in various churches in Minnesota and Iowa. Emma was Alvin's helpmate; her hospitality and open heart were a constant gift of hers. She truly loved her family and enjoyed her flowers and baking.

Survivors include two daughters, Marlene Unverzagt of Detroit Lakes and Mary (Don) Greven Newark, Ill.; three sons, A. David (Joanne) Larson of Santa Anna, Calif., James (Ruth) Larson of El Cajon, Calif., and Paul (Dawn) Larson of Callaway; 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her husband, Alvin Larson (2002); grandson Seth Larson; son-in-law Paul Unverzagt; her parents; and two great grandchildren, Cara Unverzagt and Baby Bengtson. Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 3, at Faith Free Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes, with Pastor Paul Larson officiating. Active casket bearers were Jonathan Unverzagt, Joel Unverzagt, Timothy Unverzagt, Jeff Norby, John Greven, Aaron Larson and Greg Bengtson. Honorary casket bearers included Matthew Greven, Cindy Bengtson, Maria Schmidt, Rebecca Larson, Jeremiah Larson, Kristina Larson, Heather Norby, Natalie Larson and Joshua Larson. Burial took place at Vernon Anderson Memorial Cemetery, Elbow Lake Village, Minn. Arrangements were provided for the family by West-Kjos Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes.