Mary Larson

MARY LARSON Mary Elizabeth Larson, daughter of Charles Johnson and Rebbeca Fowler Johnson, was born, June 22, 1913 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She departed this life, Friday, September 9, 2011, in Laurie Care Center, Laurie, Missouri at the age of ninety-eight years, two months and eighteen days. She met and married Eugene Larson. Together they lived and worked in New Jersey and raised three children before relocating to Camdenton, Missouri in 1971. She cared for Eugene who was disabled for ten years before passing in 1976. Mary married again twice in later years, caring for Russell Serrage and Edward Edgar during their illnesses and physical handicaps. Both preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her mother, Rebbeca; her father and step-mother, Charles and Orrie Johnson; two granddaughters, Pamela Larson, Sheryl Kleuser Rotellini; three great-grandchildren, Jeremy Rotellini, Melanie Rotellini and Jesse Deifenbeck; three brothers and three sisters. Survivors include her children, Ronald B. Larson and wife Patricia of Sunrise Beach, Missouri; Dolores Mehl and partner Larry Headley of Camdenton, Missouri and Judy Kleuser of Laurie, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Janice Rothove and husband Jerry and Rusty Mehl and partner Brenda Foster all of Camdenton, Missouri, Tracy VanBibber and partner Ben Paine of Monett, Missouri, William G. Kleuser and partner Barbara Maples of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, Dawn Kleuser and partner David Hill of Linn Creek, Missouri, Scott Larson and wife Beverly of Willington, North Carolina, Victoria Larson of Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania and Glenn Larson and Val of Palmerton, Pennsylvania; sixteen great-grandchildren; fourteen great-great-grandchildren; a special pet, Mocco and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. While an infant, Mary's mother passed away and she and her brother were placed in an orphanage. Her father later married, Orrie Smoak and they were happy to bring the children back into the family. They moved to South Carolina on a sugar plantation until her teens. The family moved to New Jersey, where she attended high school. She moved to the Lake of the Ozarks in 1976. After her health declined, she resided with her daughter; Judy in Laurie until she moved into the Laurie Care Center and has been cared for by the dedicated staff for the last few years. Mary had a heart to care for others. She was a former member of the Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging. She volunteered at the Camdenton Senior Center and Sunrise Beach Senior Center from 1978 throughout most of the 1990's. Mary joined the Friends of God Unity Church which later became known as Unity at the Lake Church in 2002 and attended services until her health declined. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting and made many hats and scarves for school children and military men and women. Most of all, time spent with family was most important to her. She was a loving mother and grandmother and a caring neighbor and friend. The family would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to the staff of the Laurie Care Center, especially two great-granddaughters, Karli Van Bibber and Kari Dodd for the special care they provided. Visitation will be from 9-11 Tuesday, September 13, 2011 in Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Mistwood Cemetery, Camdenton. Memorial donations may be made to Unity at the Lake Church and left at the funeral home. Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton is assisting the family with arrangements.