Phyllis L. Larson

Phyllis Lindahl Larson, 90, went peacefully to be with her Lord November 18, 2016.  Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Ward Jerome Larson.  Phyllis is survived by her four children, Eric Jerome Larson (Linda), Peter Marvin Larson (Julie Sandblom), David Ward Larson (Susan) and Barbara Jean Williams (Craig); eight grandchildren, Steven Larson, Kathryn Thomas, Taylor Larson, Carrie Black, Will Harrison, Ben Harrison, Chris Williams and Elizabeth Williams; and three great grandchildren, Beckett and Augustus Larson and Eleanor Black.

Phyllis and Ward met as students at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, and married in 1949.  After rearing their children, she taught home economics for 20 years at Glen Crest Junior High.  She later was employed on the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line, rescuing holiday feasts for over 15 years.  At First United Methodist Church of Glen Ellyn, Phyllis co-founded United Methodist Campers, represented the conference at the United Methodist Women convention in Washington, D.C.  She also served as the church historian.

Phyllis fed her family of six using a Coleman stove on dozens of camping vacations “from the Redwood Forests to the Gulf Stream waters” (and to two World’s Fairs),  baked Christmas tree coffee cakes every year (but why did she have to give them all away?), collected graniteware across the Midwest; played bridge on New Year’s Eve with the same college friends for 40 years; knew all the verses to hymns from her childhood; and welcomed family and friends to their cottage on Blue Spring Lake in Wisconsin.

She always had a joyful smile and a pot of hot coffee to share.

Memorial Visitation will be held Saturday, November 26th from 1 pm until the service at 2 pm, at the First United Methodist Church.  424 Forest Avenue, in Glen Ellyn.  Arrangements handled by Leonard Memorial Funeral Home, 565 Duane St., Glen Ellyn, Illinois. For information call 630-469-0032.

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