Mary Larson

Mary Helen Larson passed away at the age of 80 on Monday, September 11, 2023, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center in Blue Earth, Minnesota. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00am on Friday, September 22, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church in Winnebago, Minnesota with visitation at 10:00am. Mary will be laid to rest at Rosehill Cemetery following the service. Arrangements are under the care of Spencer-Owen Funeral Home.

Mary was born October 5, 1942, in Fairmont, Minnesota to W. Harold and Helen (Robertson) Golly. She was the second of four children and grew up on a family farm outside of Huntley, Minnesota. She graduated from Huntley High School in 1960 and went on to attend Mankato State University earning a bachelor’s degree in library science.

Mary married Duane Larson on August 21, 1965, in Winnebago, Minnesota. They lived in Mountain Lake, Minnesota for nine years, then moved to a farm near Winnebago, Minnesota in 1974 where she lived the remainder of her life. Mary and Duane had two daughters Laurie and Kristin. Ayuko Watanabe joined the family when she arrived as an exchange student.

Mary worked at Windom Public Schools as an elementary librarian. After moving to the farm, she worked in the office of Granada Huntley East Chain Schools then later at Parker Oaks. Mary was energetic and enthusiastic. She enjoyed reading, baking, volunteering at church and school, and attending the activities of her children and grandchildren. Her many contributions include church session, Christian Ed committee, church choir, Presbyterian Women, Next to New, school board, Dollars for Scholars, Meals on Wheels, Verona Women’s Club, and Parker Oaks Auxiliary.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents Harold and Helen Golly, parents-in-law Cecil and Helen Larson, brother Richard Golly, brothers-in-law William Grefe, Dennis Nowicki and Arlen Larson.

Mary is survived by her husband Duane Larson of Winnebago, Minnesota; daughters Laurie (David) Heim of Stillwater, Minnesota, and Kristin Larson (Shane Sandmeyer) of Mapleton, Minnesota; grandchildren Olivia, Gage, Grayson, and Cooper; sister Sharon Grefe of Maple Grove, Minnesota; brother Tom (Judy) Golly of Winnebago, Minnesota; sisters-in-law Ruth Ann Golly of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Cecelia Nowicki of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Sandra Larson of Fairmont, Minnesota; several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago, Minnesota or to Alzheimer’s research.