Laurie Larsen

Throughout her rich and rewarding life, Laurie Larsen filled her days with the people and things she treasured most. She was a woman of graceful courage and quiet strength that were truly inspiring to those around her. Blessed to share much of her life’s journey with her true love, Laurie was filled with unspeakable joy to witness her family tree blossom to include not only children, but grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well. Although the way before her was not always easy, she faced what came her way head on and without complaint. Life will never be the same without Laurie here, and her timeless legacy will be proudly carried on by those who follow her.

During the first half of the 1940s, the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as WWII gripped much of Europe. With the end of the war in 1945, countless young servicemen and women returned home while those who remained stateside said goodbye to rationing, victory gardens, and manufacturing that was focused on supporting the war effort. It was during the time when our nation was transitioning to becoming a nation at peace once again when Theo and Geraldine (Tidd) Young were blessed with the birth of their baby girl they named Laurie Victoria on June 7, 1940, in Mecosta, Michigan. Joined in her family by her brother, Thomas, she was raised by her grandparents at Horsehead Lake East of Big Rapids. With the death of one of her grandparents, Laurie was then put into the foster care system and lived with a variety of families during the rest of her formative years. This way of life was anything but easy. She was resilient.

It was while as a high school student in Big Rapids that Laurie began working at A&W as a parking lot waitress who brought meals out to the cars on trays that she met the man of her dreams. His name was John Larsen, and he was one year her senior and a student at the same high school. They began dating and loved having fun together. One of their favorite things to do was to go to dances with friends at Oxbow Park. Their relationship grew, and their love deepened over time. With a desire to establish a life together Laurie and John were married on March 23, 1958, in Big Rapids.

A bit later, Laurie and John were delighted to welcome a total of five children into their hearts and home including their daughters, Val and Robin, and their sons, Johnny, Troy, and Al. While their children were growing up Laurie was able to stay home to care for them, and John worked to provide for their family - first as a logger and later as the owner of a gas station. After living in Big Rapids for a time they moved to a 40 acre farm in Brohman. They later moved to a home in Holland where John had taken a job. Finally, they bought property on 146th in West Olive where Laurie lived for the rest of her life. Once their children were grown, Laurie started working to help with finances and just to keep busy as well. She worked as a cashier at several places such as Wesco, Welcome Travelers, Mother Hubbard, Family Fare, and Wal-Mart just to name a few, Laurie retired in 2008.

Over the years Laurie preferred to be busy, she was a woman of many interests. During her younger years she was an accomplished bowler on a league who won many trophies, she also enjoyed snowmobiling. With her own creative flair, Laurie did ceramics for many years and even had her own kiln at home. Always on the prowl for a great find, she enjoyed going to flea markets and shopping for antiques. Blessed with a green thumb, Laurie had the most beautiful flower gardens to show for her efforts, however, one would rarely find yellow flowers in her gardens as she didn’t care for them. Laurie once had an indoor vine plant that grew over 20 feet long! She was a country music fan, and one of the highlights of her life was when she was at a Marty Robbins concert and was able to walk out on stage with him.

Many of the things that Laurie enjoyed she enjoyed because they were shared with the ones she loved. When John was heavily involved in stock car and drag racing she was always in the stands to support him and was his biggest fan. Together she and her husband also enjoyed going to tractor shows as well as classic car shows. For several years they took their trailer camping all over including many trips to the Upper Peninsula. Most times their dogs, Ford and Chevy, also came with them. Later in life Laurie loved becoming a grandmother, and being with her grandchildren was a favorite activity. She was especially close to Al’s children.

Life was not without times of trial for Laurie. She had a bout with stomach cancer, although she was able to overcome it with treatment. In 2012 Laurie was deeply saddened with the death of her husband, and shortly thereafter she moved in with Robin as she needed more care. Sadly, she was later diagnosed with lung cancer, and although her spirit was willing her body was not able to overcome such a fight.

Vivacious, fun-loving, and compassionate, Laurie Larsen was a blessing in the lives of those around her. Her zest for life was contagious, and her devotion to her family was unmatched. A woman of wisdom and graceful elegance, Laurie fully embraced the days she was given while holding her loved ones near. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Laurie V. Larsen died Saturday, October 4, 2014. Laurie’s family includes her children, Johnny (Joni) Larsen of Grand Rapids, Troy Larsen of Stanwood, Al (Shawn) Larsen of Holland, Val Larsen of Montague, Robin Dunham of West Olive; twelve grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; brother, Thomas Young of Coldwater. Laurie was preceded in death by her husband, John in 2012. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2014, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at 8929 146th Avenue, West Olive. Memorials can be made to Harbor Humane Society. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.