Arlene Larsen, 89, of Redwood Falls, Minnesota and formerly of Racine, Wisconsin, went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, April 23, 2015. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2015 from Calvary Memorial Church, 4001 Washington Avenue, Racine, Wisconsin, with Pastor Richard Ferrell officiating. Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery. Friends may call at the Draeger/Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Rd., Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin on Thursday, April 30, 2015 from 6 until 8 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday, May 1, from 10 until 11 a.m.
Local arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Service of Redwood Falls. E-mail condolences may be sent via
www.nelson-hillestad.com
Arlene Pearl Larsen, the daughter of Louis and Viola (LaFave) Spear, was born May 23, 1925 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Arlene resided most of her life in Racine. On January 4, 1947, Arlene married Russell Hancock. They were blessed with two children. Arlene married Harvey Larsen on August 21, 1954 and became Mom to his two sons.
Arlene was a long time member of Calvary Memorial Church and was active in ladies organizations. She taught Sunday school, was a member of the choir, and a soloist. Arlene enjoyed playing piano, scrabble, visiting with family and friends, and making the best homemade bread.
After the children were grown, she returned to school to get her degree as an LPN, and worked for six years at St. Luke’s Hospital in Racine. After retiring, travelling to the kids – “to get pampered” and south in the winter kept her busy.
In 2007, Arlene moved to an assisted living facility in Redwood Falls, Minnesota to be near family.
She is survived by her sons Terry (Gale) of Prescott, Arizona; Michael (Patricia) of Bremerton, Washington; and Gary (Carol) of Redwood Falls, Minnesota; son-in-law James Brown of Port Orchard, Washington; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sister Gwen (Ralph) Horn of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother-in-law Loren Swanson of Aurora, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.
Arlene was preceded in death by her first husband, Russell Hancock; husband Harvey Larsen on January 25, 1995; daughter Suzanne Brown on April 7, 2001; sister Judith Swanson on July 20, 2014; niece Bonnie Swanson; and nephews Don and Scott Horn.
Blessed Be Her Memory.