Darlene Harriet Larson

Darlene Harriet Larson, 93 of Elgin, Iowa passed away on Saturday, December 27 at the Good Samaritan Society in West Union, Iowa. Darlene Harriet Olson Larson was born Feb 23, 1932 to Aines and Harriet Amundson Olson in West Union. She grew up in Clayton County, IA, about 1 mile west of East Clermont Lutheran Church, where she was baptized, confirmed, and married to Oliver Larson August 29, 1950.

Darlene attended the Olson country school and Clermont Public School where she graduated in 1949, an honor student and president of her class. She worked at Northwestern Bell in Decorah until her marriage.

Darlene and Oliver lived on their rural Elgin farm where she helped on the farm and supported their children in church, school and 4H activities. After they were grown, Darlene had part-time jobs at Good Samaritan in Postville, Elgin Law Office, Elgin Canning Company and 27 years at Elgin Hardware. She was member of many county boards, and church conference and synod boards. Most notably she was 1987 Iowa Mother of the Year.

Oliver and Darlene travelled together visiting most states and state capitals, including a driving trip through Alaska. They also visited several European countries.

Darlene is survived by 4 children, Keith (Ginger Anderson-) Larson, Monmouth, IA; Brad Larson (Chris), Lubbock, TX; Ramona (Rick) Friederich, Peoria, AZ; and Lenee (Dr. Tom) Pollock, Aplington, IA; 2 sisters, Anita (Don) Hoth, Lake Zurich, IL and Karen Frieden, Swisher, IA. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, their second son Stanley who died at birth, and grandson Forrest Pollock, as well as 2 sisters and 3 brothers-in-law sisters, LaVerne and Marilyn Larson, Sandy and Calvin Penz and David Frieden.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm with a visitation from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at East Clermont Lutheran Church, rural Clermont, Iowa with Rev. Ron Roberts as the officiant.

Inurnment will follow at East Clermont Lutheran Cemetery, rural Clermont, Iowa.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin, Iowa is assisting the family with services.