- Born on: November 9, 1930
- Departed on: February 13, 2023
- Resided in: Decorah, IA
Beverly J. Larson
Beverly J. Larson, 92, formerly of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away on February 13, 2023, at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, Iowa.
Beverly Jean Thompson Larson was born November 9, 1930, in Dows, Iowa, to Chris H. and Matilda (Timm) Thompson. Bev was the youngest of eight children. She was especially grateful for the support of her siblings following the death of their mother when Bev was only eight years old.
Bev grew up on the family farm in Franklin County, Iowa, and graduated from Dows High School in 1948. Following high school, Bev married Glen R. Braun on December 22, 1948, and they later divorced. From 1949 to 1964, Bev gave birth to seven children: Barry, Ronald, Rodney, Sandra, Sherry, Sharon, and Peggy. To make a better life for her family, Bev drove from Rochester to Austin every day for a year to attend classes at Austin Area Vocational School, receiving her secretarial and clerical training certification in 1967. Bev was then hired as an administrative assistant for Olmsted County Public Health, retiring in 1995 after 28 1/2 years of service. Bev was an exceptionally hard worker and did a great job taking care of her family and home while working full-time. When she did have a few minutes of free time, she could be found in the yard tending to her many beautiful flowers and plants.
On October 17, 1970, Bev married Grant H.C. Larson. They were married just short of 49 years until Grant’s death in 2019. After retirement, Bev and Grant wintered in Las Vegas for 11 years and loved showing their family and friends all of the attractions of the city. In 2006, they returned to Rochester to live year-round. With increasing health challenges, Bev and Grant moved to Decorah in March 2017. Bev lived with her daughter, Sherry, while Grant was cared for at Barthell Eastern Star Home. In November 2018, Bev also moved to Barthell Eastern Star Home. The family is incredibly grateful to the nurses and staff at the nursing home for the wonderful and compassionate care they provided for both Bev and Grant over the last six years. Bev’s family also wishes to extend their gratitude and deep appreciation to Dr. Andy Goodner and the staff at Winneshiek Medical Center for the excellent care they provided Bev during her time in Decorah and especially during her last days in the hospital.
Survivors include Bev’s seven children: Barry (Pat) Braun of Littleton, Colorado, Ron (Darlene) Braun of Prescott, Arizona, Rod (Nance) Braun of Rochester, Sandy (Mark) Steck of Canton, South Dakota, Sherry Alcock of Decorah, Sharon (Bill) Wefring of Buckeye, Arizona, and Peggy (Pete) Ellefsen of Indianapolis, Indiana. Her twelve grandchildren: Shane Braun, Jennifer Bunn, Melissa Derouin, Heather Kraling, Rollie (Hannah) Steck, Orrin Steck, Matt Alcock, Emily (Marlon) Henriquez, Rebecca (Theo Taylor) Alcock, Carly (PJ Goodwin) Ellefsen, Jon Ellefsen, and Erin (Andy Johnson) Ellefsen. Also surviving are stepchildren: Steve (Darlene) Larson of Hutchinson, Minnesota, Sue (Charlie) Rud of Backus, Minnesota, and Scott Larson of Hutchinson, Minnesota, along with their five children and families.
Bev was preceded in death by her husband, Grant Larson, on October 12, 2019; son-in-law, Dave Alcock, on April 3, 2005; parents, Chris and Matilda Thompson; siblings Art Thompson, Harold Thompson, Evelyn Mittag, Pearl Mossman, Morris Thompson, Doris Pastour, Ruth Johnson, and their spouses.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April, 22, 2023 at 11 AM at Bethel Lutheran Church, 810 3rd Avenue, SE, Rochester, MN, where Bev and Grant were members since 1971. Inurnment will be at Phelps Cemetery in Decorah. Memorials may be given to: Barthell O. E. S. Home, 911 Ridgewood Drive, Decorah, IA 52101.
Beverly Jean Thompson Larson was born November 9, 1930, in Dows, Iowa, to Chris H. and Matilda (Timm) Thompson. Bev was the youngest of eight children. She was especially grateful for the support of her siblings following the death of their mother when Bev was only eight years old.
Bev grew up on the family farm in Franklin County, Iowa, and graduated from Dows High School in 1948. Following high school, Bev married Glen R. Braun on December 22, 1948, and they later divorced. From 1949 to 1964, Bev gave birth to seven children: Barry, Ronald, Rodney, Sandra, Sherry, Sharon, and Peggy. To make a better life for her family, Bev drove from Rochester to Austin every day for a year to attend classes at Austin Area Vocational School, receiving her secretarial and clerical training certification in 1967. Bev was then hired as an administrative assistant for Olmsted County Public Health, retiring in 1995 after 28 1/2 years of service. Bev was an exceptionally hard worker and did a great job taking care of her family and home while working full-time. When she did have a few minutes of free time, she could be found in the yard tending to her many beautiful flowers and plants.
On October 17, 1970, Bev married Grant H.C. Larson. They were married just short of 49 years until Grant’s death in 2019. After retirement, Bev and Grant wintered in Las Vegas for 11 years and loved showing their family and friends all of the attractions of the city. In 2006, they returned to Rochester to live year-round. With increasing health challenges, Bev and Grant moved to Decorah in March 2017. Bev lived with her daughter, Sherry, while Grant was cared for at Barthell Eastern Star Home. In November 2018, Bev also moved to Barthell Eastern Star Home. The family is incredibly grateful to the nurses and staff at the nursing home for the wonderful and compassionate care they provided for both Bev and Grant over the last six years. Bev’s family also wishes to extend their gratitude and deep appreciation to Dr. Andy Goodner and the staff at Winneshiek Medical Center for the excellent care they provided Bev during her time in Decorah and especially during her last days in the hospital.
Survivors include Bev’s seven children: Barry (Pat) Braun of Littleton, Colorado, Ron (Darlene) Braun of Prescott, Arizona, Rod (Nance) Braun of Rochester, Sandy (Mark) Steck of Canton, South Dakota, Sherry Alcock of Decorah, Sharon (Bill) Wefring of Buckeye, Arizona, and Peggy (Pete) Ellefsen of Indianapolis, Indiana. Her twelve grandchildren: Shane Braun, Jennifer Bunn, Melissa Derouin, Heather Kraling, Rollie (Hannah) Steck, Orrin Steck, Matt Alcock, Emily (Marlon) Henriquez, Rebecca (Theo Taylor) Alcock, Carly (PJ Goodwin) Ellefsen, Jon Ellefsen, and Erin (Andy Johnson) Ellefsen. Also surviving are stepchildren: Steve (Darlene) Larson of Hutchinson, Minnesota, Sue (Charlie) Rud of Backus, Minnesota, and Scott Larson of Hutchinson, Minnesota, along with their five children and families.
Bev was preceded in death by her husband, Grant Larson, on October 12, 2019; son-in-law, Dave Alcock, on April 3, 2005; parents, Chris and Matilda Thompson; siblings Art Thompson, Harold Thompson, Evelyn Mittag, Pearl Mossman, Morris Thompson, Doris Pastour, Ruth Johnson, and their spouses.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April, 22, 2023 at 11 AM at Bethel Lutheran Church, 810 3rd Avenue, SE, Rochester, MN, where Bev and Grant were members since 1971. Inurnment will be at Phelps Cemetery in Decorah. Memorials may be given to: Barthell O. E. S. Home, 911 Ridgewood Drive, Decorah, IA 52101.
