Mary Elaine Larson

Mary Elaine Larson, 88, of Fort Dodge, passed away Monday, September 9, 2013, at her home. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Allen Henderson officiating. Interment of her cremated remains will be held in North Lawn Cemetery. Mary Elaine Larson was born on July 17, 1925, the eldest child of Rudolph and Hilda (Kleber) Wagner. Her father passed away when she was three years old, prior to the birth of the couple's third child. The family then became part of a large extended family and lived with Grandpa and Grandma Kleber who emigrated from Germany. From this time on, she was known as Elaine since two aunts were also named Mary. Elaine received her education at Pleasant Valley, Sacred Heart Catholic and Fort Dodge High schools. She married Archie Larson on April 7, 1945, after Archie returned from military service. They were blessed with four children. Elaine was employed with Gate's Department Store, Mercy Hospital, and Tony's Restaurant. Most dear to her was her role of being a full-time wife and moth...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

She described the time her children were small as "the happiest time in my life." Elaine also cared for other children and especially treasured time with her granddaughter Renee. She loved going for walks, being in nature and working in her yard. Elaine's faith in God was an important part of her life. She was baptized and raised in the Catholic Church. Later, as a wife and mother, she attended St. Olaf Lutheran Church. In 2007, she became a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church along with her husband, daughter and son-in-law Beverly and Tom. Survivors are Archie, her husband of 68 years; her sons, Dennis and Michael; her daughter Beverly Davis; and granddaughter Renee, the daughter of her son Ron who passed away in 1990. Her mother Hilda passed away in 1988, and her son-in-law Tom Davis passed away in 2007. Also preceding her in death was her brother Bernard Wagner and sister Betty Thul. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.