Evelyn D. Larson

Evelyn D. Larson, 83, of Eureka, passed away May 1, 2013.

She was born April 21, 1930, in Chester, Mont., to Norval and Clara Nelson.  When she was a small child, her family moved to Ferndale, Mont., where her parents started a strawberry farm.  She attended and graduated from the Ferndale school in 1948.

On Nov. 14, 1948, she married Louis M. Larson.  As a young married couple, they moved around, living in Kalispell, Bremerton, Wash., and Polson. They eventually bought land and settled in Eureka, where they have lived and raised their family.

These facts may sum up the obvious things about our mother, sister, auntie, grandmother and friend, but in no way does it reflect who she really was.

She would very much dislike it if she thought we would write up some flowery obituary about her, but let us take a moment and reflect on who she really was.

Her life was filled for many years raising her family.  It just comes naturally for some, and it certainly did for her.  Three boys and one girl called for much patience, but she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.  We never had to wonder if we had a lunch for school or if, after getting off the bus, there would be anyone home to welcome us.  Mom was always there.  She always had food cooking and cookies in the cookie jar.  I’m sure we couldn’t appreciate this as children, but we certainly do now.  As the years went by and need for more income came along, she and dad started an upholstery business.  Auto seats, chairs, couches, etc.; you name it, she upholstered it.  Most of Eureka has something that she has recovered.

She was always very involved in her church, as it was small and required the members to do much of the work.  She and Dad never failed to have their family there, helping out and showing us the importance of God and faith in our life.

She loved to craft, sew, garden and make her home beautiful.  She loved and enjoyed her family so much.  The grandchildren and great grandchildren have brought her great joy.  You could see sheer pride and joy dancing in her eyes as she watched them.  Her greatest joy the past few years, however, has been her dog, Lexi.  This dog has been her companion in life, doing and going everywhere with her since she felt the pangs of loneliness after losing Dad a few years back.  We often joked with her that she loved that dog more than us kids.  She would only smile—but never deny it.  Thank you, Lexi, for giving Mom what we couldn’t give her these past years, “a constant companion.”  Though we don’t know how we will ever fully enjoy our lives without her in it, we are so grateful in knowing she is reunited with our dad and her parents and many others whom she has missed for so many years.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Louis M. Larson; parents Norval and Clara Nelson; her infant daughter, Sandra Jean Larson; infant grandson Jarrod D. Heinrichs and sister, Bernice.

She is survived by her children: Verl and Pam Larson; Darrell and Cheryl Larson; Larry and Laura Larson, all of Eureka; and Carol and Robby Heinrichs of Columbia Falls; grandchildren Darren Larson, Brian and Kylie Larson, Tommy and Elissa Larson, Jory Larson, Dillon Larson, Caitlin Larson, Jenessa and Justin Stewart, Justin and Laura Heinrichs, and Jeffrey Heinrichs; great-grandchildren Aria and Ever Stewart, David, Trenton, Laina and Graham Heinrichs, and Astrid Larson; brothers Ed and Iva Jean Nelson and Leon and Merry Jane Nelson; sisters Margie and Warren Ortman and Echo and Orvin Larson; and many nieces, nephews, friends and extended family.  Special thanks to her closest friends Lawrence and Helen Riffle and Anita Rankosky for their constant love and watch over Mom these past years and last, but not least, Lexi girl.

Graveside services were Saturday, May 4, at the Tobacco Valley Cemetery in Eureka.