Mary Ann V. Larson

Mary Ann V. Larson, 80, passed away peacefully at The Quarry assisted living facility in Vancouver, WA on January 13, 2016, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer. Mary was born in Hope, North Dakota on November 30th, 1935 to Niels and Ossel (Olson) Valentine. Mary was raised on small grain farm with 5 younger siblings and attended a one room country school for the first 7 years of her education. Mary graduated valedictorian of Hope High School in 1953 with a class of 18 students. Mary was baptized, confirmed, and married in the Blabon Evangelical Lutheran Church. She attended college at North Dakota Agriculture College (now NDSU) graduating in 1957 with a Home Economics Degree. She then moved to La Moure, North Dakota and taught home economics for two years. In 1959, she was chosen to be an International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) representative and traveled by ship from New York City to Finland where for six months she worked with the 4-H program and lived and worked with five farm families. She described the adventure as a mountain-top experience. After her return to the United States, she accepted a position with the North Dakota Extension Service and moved to Williston, North Dakota. She was the William's County extension agent for 2 years. Mary met a local Williston school teacher, Lloyd Larson, and was married on July 9, 1961. Mary and Lloyd had three sons: William (Bill), David, and Donald. Lloyd passed away in 1995. Mary was a woman of great faith, which was expressed through her love and concern for her family and friends. She raised three children, took care of her husband during a long illness, and cared for her mother during Ossel's later years. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Williston for 51 years and a member of Our Beautiful Savior in Vancouver, Washington for three years. She taught Sunday school for many years and was past President of the Women's Group at First Lutheran. She was active within the Homemaker's Club of the Extension Service, 4-H club, a Sons of Norway member, and a volunteer at the Mercy Hospital in Williston for over 20 years. Her many interests and hobbies including reading, handicrafts, quilting, working word puzzles, visiting friends, playing whist, family history, and travel to Finland, Israel, Norway, Sweden, England, Iceland, Scotland, Wales, Bermuda, the Panama Canal, Alaska, and Hawaii. She will always be remembered for her letter writing and the ability to remember birthdays and special occasions. Mary Larson was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Gordon Valentine of Buckley, WA, her infant sister Ruth Marie, and her beloved husband Lloyd Jerome Larson. Mary is survived by her sons, Bill, and his wife Karen of Ahwatukee, AZ, David and his wife Jennifer (sons Miles and Matthew) of Livermore, CA, and Don of Portland, OR; grandsons Miles and Matthew; step grandchildren Cara Lee, Katie Bochte, and Lee Bochte; step grand-granddaughter Dezpah Fennelly; brothers Robert of Gualala, CA, Rodney of Mesa, AZ; sisters Phyllis Blanchard of San Diego, CA, and Ellen Metzger of Fountain Valley, CA; sister-in-law Pat Valentine of Buckley, WA; and many nieces and nephews. Mary will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Memorial Service will be at The Quarry at 2 p.m. January 17th, 2016. Evergreen Memorial Gardens are handling local arraignments. Additional funeral services will be held at First Lutheran Church in Williston, North Dakota at 11 a.m. January 21st, 2016. Burial will be at Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery in Divide County, North Dakota. We would like to express our sincere Thank You to family and friends for helping us through our recent loss. We appreciate the cards, flowers, memorials, visits, and prayers. God Bless You. The Family of Mary Ann Valentine Larson Memorial contributions can be made to Upper Missouri Ministries, 12601 58th St NW, Epping, ND 58843

Mary Ann V. Larson

November 30, 1935 - January 13, 2016