Edna Anna Larson, the daughter of Peter and Clara (Rasmussen) Olsen, was born on March 30, 1916, in rural Jacksonville, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville. After attending the Jackson #1 school in Jacksonville Township, Edna worked at the Mrs. Donahue Café, and Grahams Department Store, both located in Harlan, Iowa. On February 23, 1947, Edna married Clarence Louis Larson at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. The couple farmed in Center Township on Clarence’s parents’ place for many years. In recent months, Edna had been living at the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center in Avoca, Iowa.
Edna was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, where she was active in the ILCW circles and work groups as long as her health permitted. She had been a member of the Red Hat Club in Harlan. Edna enjoyed gardening and canning, and loved to cook. Two years in a row she was awarded “Best Apple Pie” at the Shelby County Fair.
Edna A. Larson died on Friday, August 5, 2005, at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, Iowa, at the age of 89 years, 4 months, and 6 days.
Preceding Edna in death were her parents and one son, Wade Larson, on July 6, 2001. Survivors include her husband, Clarence Larson of Harlan, Iowa; two sons, Carlyle Larson and Norval (Linda) Larson, both of Harlan, Iowa; one brother, Harold Olsen of Harlan, Iowa; one sister, Helen Hansen of Omaha, Nebraska; two grandchildren, Brandon Larson of Red Oak, Iowa, and Amber Larson of Harlan, Iowa; three step-grandchildren, Chad (Molly) Harris of Gretna, Nebraska, and Kami (Mark) Burghardt and Brent (Jennifer) Harris, both of Omaha, Nebraska; nine step-great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August 10, 2005, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa, with Pastor Heather Ploen officiating. Steve Petty served as the organist, and Diane Kastens was the soloist. Casket bearers were Roger Whitson, Darwin Campbell, Randy Hansen, Brandon Larson, Brent Harris, and Chad Harris. Burial was in the Jacksonville Cemetery in Jacksonville, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.