Janice Larson

ALTONA - Janice Larson, 73, of rural Altona, passed away on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 in the presence of her family that she loved so dearly.

She was born June 28, 1942 at Galesburg Cottage Hospital to Keith and Lillian (Nelson) King. She attended grade school in Victoria and graduated from ROVA High School in 1960. After attending Browns Business College, she was employed in the office of JC Penney in downtown Galesburg. Janice married her high school sweetheart Dean E. Larson on November 27, 1960 at the Victoria Methodist Church. Together they raised three children, Steve (Diana) Larson of Galva and their children, Tim, Greg and twins, Katie and Kimberly, Sallie (Bill) Rivera of Indianapolis, IN and their children, Sydney and Mick and Scott (Trina) Larson of Brimfield and their children, Jack and Sam.

Janice and Dean worked side by side on their hog and grain farm for 34 years. She also served as librarian at the Ransom Memorial Public Library for 40 years. During that time many improvements were made to include creating a children’s room for special programs and activities for children in the community. Upon her retirement, the children’s room was named in her honor.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and a brother, Jim King. Also surviving is her identical twin sister, Janet (Jim) Nelson of DeWitt, IA, two brothers, Jerry (Inis) King of Victoria and Dr. Mike (Peggy) Nelson of St. Louis, MO and many nieces and nephews.

Janice had an interest in family history and enjoyed collecting and displaying family memorabilia. She enjoyed her sunroom full of plants as well as her numerous flower beds and was known for her “green thumb.” She was active in the Senior Citizens and the United Church of Altona. Watching the birds and tending to her farm cats brought her much joy. But she was most passionate about her eight grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 20 at the United Church of Altona. Rev. David Pyell will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 PM, Thursday, November 19 at Rux Funeral Home in Galva. Inurnment will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Altona. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Ransom Memorial Public Library or to the United Church of Altona.

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