Funeral services for Dorothy L. Larson were Friday, June 22, 2018, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland. She passed away on Sunday, June 17, 2018 at the age of 106 years.

Burial was in rural Oakland’s Westside Cemetery.

Dorothy Lorene (Erickson) Larson was born on (a very cold) Jan. 6, 1912, the oldest of the four children of Oscar and Myrtle Erickson. Dorothy was raised on the family farm settled by her grandparents, Gust and Anna Erickson, who both came from Sweden to the U.S.

Dorothy attended, and later taught, elementary school at Morningside District 17. She graduated from Oakland High School in 1929, then attended Wayne State Normal School (now Wayne State College) for three semesters. Later, while teaching, she attended summer sessions at Dana College and Midland College.

Dorothy married Francis Larson Nov. 17, 1934, in LeMars, Iowa. They farmed northwest of Oakland where they lived for about 40 years.

Her teaching career began in 1932 at Morningside School, which she had attended as a student. She taught there for three years as was the custom back then. She continued teaching in rural schools in the 30’s while living in Oakland. Dorothy then stayed at home on the farm to raise their children and went back to teaching in the 60’s.

In 1981, after her husband’s death, she moved to Oakland. From 1996-2008, she lived in the house built by her grandparents, Gust and Anna Erickson.

Dorothy was a lifelong member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she was baptized and confirmed. Through the years she taught Sunday School and was a member of Dorcas Society, serving as their pianist. Dorothy enjoyed being active at the Golden Oaks Center and card clubs.

A very special honor was given to Dorothy in 2003 as the Swedish Festival Queen. Her mother, Myrtle, had been queen in 1985.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Francis; brothers, Raymond Erickson and Elwin Erickson; five brothers-in-law and five sisters-in-law.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Erickson of Richfield, Minn.; son, Tom (Diane) Larson of Kansas City, Mo.; daughter, Mary (Ron) Plageman of Lincoln; three grandchildren Nate (Amanda), Brendan (Emily), and Lizzie; three great-grandchildren, Coraline, Owen and Damon, her aunt; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials are suggested to First Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Pelan Funeral Services was in charge of the arrangements.

Source: https://www.agupdate.com/community/burt_county/obituaries/dorothy-l-larson/article_ec49ef36-7882-11e8-b1b9-0b050dc451cb.html