Marjorie Louise (LaBounty) LARSON

LABOUNTY, LARSON, FAUST, HYZER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/19/2008 at 10:04:02

KANAWHA - Marjorie Louise (LaBounty) Larson passed away Monday (June 16, 2008) at the Kanawha Community Home. A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 28, at Kanawha United Methodist Church.

Born Dec. 20, 1921, in Rossville, Ill., to Jerome and Emma (Faust) LaBounty, Marge moved with her family to a farm near Kanawha when she was a little girl. She attended Erin No. 8 country school through eighth grade and graduated from Britt High School in 1939. She also attended junior college. On Sept. 15, 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Merle Larson, in Las Vegas, Nev. They settled in Riverside, Calif., and started their family. The beginning of WW II changed their plans. Merle joined the Army Air Corps and Marjorie followed him as much as possible throughout his military service. In 1958, they moved their family back to Kanawha where Merle farmed and Marjorie worked as a secretary. Throughout her life, Marjorie was an avid reader and especially enjoyed reading newspapers and news magazines. She was a driving force behind her children's education. She liked discussing politics and was an active member of the Democratic Party. One of her passions was the renovation of a country schoolhouse, which was moved to a park in Kanawha. It is now a museum visited by elementary students from throughout the county. Former Gov. Terry Branstad dedicated the museum, and Marjorie received an award for her efforts. Marjorie was a lifetime member of Kanawha United Methodist Church. Her faith was the keystone of her life and she was active in the church until failing health limited her activity. Marjorie was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She organized many reunions for her immediate and extended family. One of her greatest joys was spending time at the family cabin on the Gunflint Trail in northern Minnesota. She felt especially close to God in "The Northwoods" where she was awed by the movement of the Quaking Aspen trees, the call of the loons and the sight of the moonlit lake. People who knew Marge spoke of her smile and her graciousness. She could strike up a conversation with anyone and corresponded with people throughout the country. She was a prolific writer and was always taking notes, often utilizing her knowledge of shorthand.

She was preceded in death by her husband Merle; her parents; brother Harve LaBounty; and two infant brothers, Forrest and Lyle. Left to cherish her memory are son, David (Kathy) of Ames; son, Michael (Judy) of Kanawha; daughter, Terryl Hyzer (Mike) of West Des Moines; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Those wishing to express their sympathy may consider the Kanawha United Methodist Church or Hospice of North Iowa. Arrangements are with the Ewing Funeral Home, 118 E. Second St. in Kanawha.

Mason City Globe Gazette, IA
June 26, 2008