Alice Mae Larson

Alice Larson, 91, of Woodridge IL, passed away Friday, January 23, 2026 at Oak Trace in Downers Grove surrounded by her family.

Alice was born on October 30, 1934 in Niagara, WI, to the late Joseph and Ethel (Tewel) Marcellis. She graduated from Niagara High School in 1952, and worked at Asselin Dairy in Norway, MI as a bookkeeper in a building shaped like a milk bottle. Alice fell in love with Don Larson, and they married on August 28, 1954.

Alice and Don moved to Harvey, IL for work, where their four children were born. They attended the Free Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school and cleaned the church. In 1969, Alice and her family moved to Woodridge, IL, where they attended Central Baptist Church. Alice worked at Vaughan's Seed Company and DuPage Manufacturing, while she, alongside her friend, Ina, ran a cleaning business on the side. After her husband died in 1985, Alice worked for the Continuing Education Department for Allied Health and Nursing at Triton College. She retired from Triton College n 2000.

Alice loved spending time with her family and traveling, with a magnet on her fridge carefully selected at each destination. She deeply enjoyed the small moments in life: jigsaw and wordsearch puzzles at the kitchen table, collecting bright red cardinals, bonding with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and meaningful phone conversations with beloved family and friends.

She is survived by her children, Wanda Manning of Willowbrook, IL, Sandy Helmuth of Arizona City, AZ, Bruce (Patti) Larson of Prospect Heights, IL, and Brenda (John) Zdenek of Woodridge, IL; her grandchildren, Mary Kate (TJ) Norris, Maggie (Ben) George, Madeleine (Nate) Thompson, Doug (Lindsay) Helmuth, Jewell (Joshua) Kidwell, Jessica Larson, Joshua (Kelsey) Larson, Allison Buzalski, and Abby Zdenek; her great-grandchildren, Lila Norris and great-grandson-to-be Norris, Shiloh Thompson and great-grandson-to-be Thompson, Haven Kidwell, Mercy Kidwell, Harper Larson, Sawyer Larson, and Nolan Larson; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and other beloved family members.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Don, her brother Clifford (Iris) Marcellis, her brother Howard (Reba) Marcellis, her sister Joyce (Eric) Warnstrom, and her son-in-law Don Helmuth.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 am – 11:00 am on Saturday, January 31, at Mission Covenant Church, W2376 Cemetery Rd. Foster City, MI 49834, followed by a celebration of life service at 11:00 am with Executive Pastor David Hansen officiating. A luncheon will follow. Burial will be at the Foster City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations in Alice's name to the Mission Covenant Church, W2376 Cemetery Rd. Foster City, MI 49834.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Alice Larson online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.