Lillian Larson

LILLIAN'S TRIBUTE VIDEO

Lillian Larson, 89, of Highmore, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Highmore Healthcare Center.

Funeral Services were held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at the United Methodist Church, Highmore with Pastor Jenene Earl and Max Kelley officiating. Burial was in the Highmore Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2009 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at Luze Funeral Home in Highmore.

Lillian Rose was born May 20, 1919 to John James and Luella Mae (Smith) Hirsch at home with Grandma Smith helping deliver her. She grew up in northern Hyde County and at the age of sixteen married Elmer Larson. They raised two sons, Richard and Neil, on a farm north of Highmore before building their home in Highmore.

She worked at the sale barn café and Red Owl grocery Store. She later started a babysitting service, caring for many children who affectionately called her “Grandma.”

Lillian had gifts for serving and hospitality. Her coffeepot was always on and BBQ’s made up in the freezer just in case the grandkids would stop by.

Though she had hardships and much sadness in her life, she was a gracious and caring person. She was the heart of the family and the type of person you liked the first time you met her. She was loved by all who knew her.

As a resident of the Highmore Healthcare Center, she enjoyed all the activities and was the corn husking champion of 2007, still using her farming background skills. In December 2007, she became the Center’s Snow Queen participating in the annual festivities at the auditorium. It was a night she cherished as she watched the 2007 Snow Queen (a great- great niece) relinquished her title to the 2008 Snow Queen who was another great niece.

Left to cherish her memory are her six grandchildren: Galin (Sara) Larson of Huron, SD, Darin (Jane) Larson of Sioux Falls, SD, Kevin (Heather) Larson of Rapid City, SD, Terry (Kathleen) Larson of Yucaipa, CA, Kenny (Aprylle) Larson of Beaumont, CA and Robby (Ruby) Larson of Yucaipa, CA; seven great grandchildren; two sisters: Velma Walker of Highmore, SD and Jackie Figaniak of Philadelphia, PA; daughter-in-laws: Mary Larson of Yucaipa, CA and Sharon Smith of Harrold, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Luella; husband, Elmer; two sons: Richard and Neil; her stepfather: Luman Peterson; one brother: George; and three sisters: Helen, Shirley, and Doris.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrused with Lillian's arrangements.

Psalm 27:1
 "The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear?The Lord is the strong hold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid."

MINSTERS
Pastor Jenene Earl
Max Kelley

CASKETBEARERS
Galin Larson
Darin Larson
 Kevin Larson
 Terry Larson
Kenny Larson
Robby Larson

HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Chase Larson
Joey Jones
Heath Hale
Mark Klebsch
Jerry Walker
Brad Ryan
Tim Morton
Larry Morton

GUESTBOOK
Helen Durfey
Darlene Konrad

USHER
Everett Ellerton

FLOWERBEARERS
Babby Blair
 Lorie Ryan
 Mary Lee Klebsch

ORGANIST
Vi Pfeifer
 
SOLOIST
Audrey Lucas
      "Wind Beneath My Wings" 
      "It Is Well With My Soul"

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
"How Great Thou Art"
"What Wondrous Love Is This"