Melba Mabel Larson, age 91 of Mapleton, died on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at the Mapleton Community Home.
Born in Wilton Township on September 6, 1925, Melba was the daughter of Herman and Mabel (Cook) Molkenthin. She attended country school as a young woman and was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church in New Richland. She later graduated from high school in Waldorf.
Following school she began working for the local ASC office. On December 1, 1946 Melba married Marshall Everett Larson in New Richland. After their wedding she and Marshall purchased Melba’s aunt’s farm near New Richland. They lived and farmed there for many years before moving into Waseca.
In 1962 Melba began working in shipping for the E.F. Johnson Company – a career she continued for 26 years. Following retirement, Melba loved travelling with Marshall. They met their goal of visiting all 50 states before Marshall passed away in 2006. Melba enjoyed garage saleing, traveling, playing cards, and spending time with family and friends. She was a lifetime member of the Waseca VFW Auxiliary and St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca.
Melba is survived by three children, Lynden (Patty) Larson of Hermosa, SD, Kenton (Deb) Larson of Hermosa, SD, and Gerdane (Roger) Witts of Pemberton, MN; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Darlene (Julius) Johnson of Duluth, MN; and one sister-in-law, Alvena Kramer of Waseca, MN. She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her husband; one brother, Marlin Molkenthin; and two grandchildren, Sarah and Andrew Larson.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca, and will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Friday.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 7, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca, with Rev. John Omans officiating. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery.
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