ANN L. "FERNIE" LARSON

1932 - 2011

Ann passed away at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, WA, Monday, May 30, 2011.

Ann was born November 29, 1932 in Mount Vernon, WA to Cecil and Louise (Lilienthal) White.

Ann's childhood home was in Avon Allen of Mount Vernon, WA. Ann was a graduate of Mount Vernon High School and attended Washington State University. Go Cougars!

Ann married Wallace L. Fernie on February 1, 1953. Wallace passed away January 15, 1968. Ann continued to raise her 3 children on the family Jersey Farm in Sedro Woolley, WA.

In 1979 Ann married Elmer D. Larson and resided in Roy WA. The Jersey Cow was their passion. Ann and Elmer raised and developed a nationally recognized, registered Jersey Herd. Ann was a leader, member and participant of many dairy organizations and clubs and spent the better part of her life working very hard to promote the Jersey breed of cattle. Ann spent many a day at Cattle Classifications, County and State Fairs, Cattle Sales to her involvement in Genetic Research.

Ann also loved to travel. She opened up "The Old Farm House Quilt Shop" on the Larson Family Farm in Roy, WA. Ann and Elmer traveled many times back east to find Amish quilts and visited many dairyman and dairy farms along the way. What fun Ann had and the friends Ann and Elmer made! Many good times were shared between the Larson, Nash and Wolf's in their many adventures. Ann loved her family and friends very much.

Ann had the most beautiful begonias in her garden; Ann was hard working, an astute business woman, and never knew a stranger.
After dispersal of the herd in 1990, Ann and Elmer stayed on the farm until 1996 and then moved to Burlington, WA. In 2007 they made their home at Mountain Glen Retirement Community in Mount Vernon, WA.

Ann is survived by her son Mike (Debbie) Fernie of Sedro Woolley, WA; daughter, Lisa (Don) Dellinger of Conway, WA; daughter, Jeanine (Craig) Campadore of Puyallup, WA; son Ron (Sara) Larson of Elbe,WA; Ann is also survived by her sister Joan Koffel of Wenatchee, WA; along with 19 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and our special family, Bounma and Vilavanh Bounthysavath and their children Steven (Marissa) Teplasy, John, Adam, Andrew; and 2 great-grandsons.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents Cecil & Louise White, a son Timothy J. Fernie, and husband Elmer D. Larson.

A memorial service and celebration of Ann's life will be held Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 11:00 am; located at Central United Methodist Church, 1013 Polte Road in Sedro Woolley, WA. A luncheon and refreshments will follow by the Skagit/Island County Dairy Wives.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances can be made to: Virginia Mason Foundation, In Memory of Ann L. Larson, Multiple Sclerosis Fund, P.O. Box 1930 M/S D1-MF, Seattle, WA 98111; or AJCC Research Foundation, American Jersey Cattle Club, In Memory of Ann L. Larson, 6486 East Main Street Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-2362.

You may share your memories of Ann, and sign her online guest register at www.hawthornefh.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, 1825 E. College Way, Mount Vernon.