Bernice Evelyn Larson

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Bernice Evelyn Larson, age 91, of Garretson, died on Sunday, March 3, 2013, at Bethany Home in Brandon. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2013, at Zion Lutheran Church, Garretson. Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, with the family present from 5-8:00 p.m. at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson.

Bernice was born on October 27, 1921, in Sioux Falls, to Peter and Hildur (Granberg) Stadum. Bernice grew up in Sioux Falls and attended Whittier School, Washington High School, and Augustana College. She taught two years in rural school District 106 in Minnehaha County southeast of Garretson. On July 6, 1943, Bernice married Arthur Larson at Augustana Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. After their marriage Bernice taught for one year at District 55 in Minnehaha County. The couple lived in Sioux Falls until moving to the family farm west of Garretson in 1954. They returned to Sioux Falls in 1956. In 1962, they purchased a farm east of Garretson. After their children were all in school, she taught for six years at Franklin School in Sioux Falls and sixteen years in Garretson until retiring in 1984. Art died on August 9, 1983. Bernice moved to Bethany Home in Brandon on March 1, 2012.

Bernice was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson where she was involved in various church activities. She was also active in the Garretson Senior Citizens and the Augustana Alumni Association.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children: Janice Reynolds, Omaha, Nebraska, James (Barbara) Larson, Garretson, Gale (Barbara) Larson, Garretson, and Steve (Mary) Larson, Garretson; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a half-sister, Hazel Waggoner.