Frances A. Larson, age 88 of Austin, died Sunday, April 7, 2013 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home, Austin. Frances Arlene Bird was born October 10, 1924 in Osage, Iowa to Omer and Inga (Hagen) Bird. She was a 1944 graduate of New Richland High School. On May 20, 1945, she married Berdin ‘Dean’ Larson in Portsmouth, VA, where Dean was serving in the Marines. They were married for 64 years.
Frances was an excellent homemaker, sewing clothing for her daughter and making good bread, buns, and lefse. She loved to stay connected with people by writing letters and sending out dozens of Christmas cards. Frances was a prayerful woman, leading family prayers and her Circle meetings. A member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, she was active in WELCA and the Sunday School program. Frances also volunteered at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home, St. Olaf Scandinavian Days, was a member of the YWCA ‘Y’ Matrons, and enjoyed crafts, tole painting, and rosemaling.Survivors include her sons Jeff (Cherri) Larson of Brooklyn Park, MN, Paul (partner Jan Wiezorek) Larson of Chicago, Keith (Nancy) Larson of Rochester; daughter Debra (Steve) Burma of Austin; daughter-in-law Joanne (Paul) Nesse of Prescott, WI; grandchildren Amanda (Mike) Schlafke of Hayward, WI, Jesse (Jill) Burma of Lyle, Katrina (Ben) Resman of St. Paul, Chad Burma (Sara Greer) of Austin, Alicia Nesse of River Falls, WI, Sara (Adam) Schlaeger of Rochester, Corey Larson of Winona; great grandchildren Marshall Burma and Colton Burma of Lyle, Mason Schlafke of Hayward, WI; sister Rosella Peek of Bloomington, MN; brother Lyle (Darlene) Bird of Freeborn; sister-in-law Lila (Bob) Evans of Peoria, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents Omer and Inga Bird, her husband Berdin Larson in 2009, her son Gary Larson, and her sister Bernice McArdle.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 12, 2013 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor Kristi Koppel officiating. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be in Le Sueur River Lutheran Cemetery in New Richland, MN. Memorials are preferred to St. Olaf Lutheran Church Building Fund or recipient of donor’s choice. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.