Mary L. Larson

Mary L. Larson, 99, Sisseton, SD, passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2009, at the Tekakwitha Nursing Center in Sisseton.

Memorial services were Monday, July 20, at 11:00 a.m. at Walla Lutheran Church, rural New Effington, SD, with Rev. Suzanne Benidt officiating. Music was provided by her grandson Kyle Manley. Burial was in the Brandvold Cemetery, rural Victor, SD. The Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt, SD, was in charge of arrangements.

Mary was born June 23, 1910, in Wilder, MT, to Jack and Justine Doney-Liberty. She was baptized Marie LaFleur Liberty, July 3, 1910, at St. Paul's Mission in Hays, MT. She attended and graduated from St. Paul's Mission School in Hays. After finishing school, she worked at the Miller and Kuhr's ranches where her father was a ranch manager.

On October 3, 1939, Mary married Melvin Larson at Chinook, MT. She worked between ranching in Montana and farming near New Effington, SD. Mary and Melvin retired in 1986, and they moved to New Effington in 1990. Melvin passed away December 15, 1990, and in 1994, Mary moved to California to be by her daughters Mary Annette and Lois. She returned to Sisseton in 2003.

Mary was an active member of the Brandvold and Walla Churches and Ladies Aid. Mary was known for her excellent cooking, especially her delicious bread and cinnamon rolls. While family was very important to her, her love extended far beyond her immediate family. Prov 25:11 says, "As apples of gold in silver carvings is a word spoken at the right time for it" certainly applied to Mary: many late night chats cemented the bond she developed with those who participated.

She is survived by one sister, Florence Lalicker of Albany, NY; two daughters, Gladys (Ray) Manley of Fargo, ND, and Jeanne (Larry Duane) Childers of Fairbanks, AK; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two daughters, Lois Ann Koch and Mary Annette Laemmle-Johnson; and a granddaughter, Lynette Rae Manley Hoffman.

*Upon moving to SD she changed her name from Marie to Mary as she thought Marie too "high-tone".