Jeanne Louise Larson

We would like you to know our mother, Jeanne Larson, passed away on January 31, 2026, at the age of 96. She had fallen down her basement steps in November and had difficulty recovering from the effects of the fall. She died in her sleep while receiving hospice care in her son and daughter-in-law's home in Ames, Iowa, with all her children there when she passed. Why she was trying to walk by herself down those steps – or how she survived the fall – we will never know. We are just grateful she was able to spend one final Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year with her family.

Jeanne Louise (Brower) Larson was born in Yankton, South Dakota on August 12, 1929, to William P. Brower and Viola (Heiser) Brower. William, a graduate of Iowa State College (now University) in veterinary medicine, drowned while on a service call when mom was three months old. Viola later married William's older brother, Charles (Charlie), when mom was four years old and the family moved from South Dakota to Kanawha, Iowa where Charlie worked as a carpenter. Because her new father was also her uncle, Mom always told us she was her own cousin! Charlie and Viola had another daughter, Patrica or Pat, who was a dear sister, lifelong friend (and cousin!) to Mom.

She graduated from Kanawha High School in 1946 and continued her education to become a teacher at the Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa). After completing her elementary teaching degree in 1948 she began a career in teaching and later married dad, Gerald (Jerry) Larson, on September 11, 1948. She and dad had three children, Susan Sieve of Beaumont, Texas, Chuck Larson of Ames, Iowa and, her favorite son (and daughter-in-law) Steve (and Shelly) Larson, also of Ames. She loved being a mom, even though we gave her many reasons not to! She wanted us to know and follow her faith in God, always taking us to church and Sunday school, and reading to us faith-inspiring stories from the book, "Little Visits with God." We can't remember the exact stories, but they emphasized God's character and how we should behave as God's children. These lessons learned early in life have sustained us and her during her final years.

Most people remember her as a great cook, a great bridge player, and a great teacher. She taught kindergarten in Britt for over 25 years, beginning in the early 1960's after we were already in school. She loved seeing her kindergarten "children" grow up in Britt, graduate, and return for various class reunions. Those students remembered and adored her when they would see her at their Hobo Days reunions, often stating, "Mrs. Larson, so good to see you; you haven't changed a bit!" To which my mother replied, "Oh my, I looked this old when I was teaching?!?"

Mom and Dad bought a house on Spirit Lake in 1989 and spent every summer there together until Dad's passing in 2004. The "Lake House" was a favorite destination and gathering place for all their friends and family, especially a place to love on her six grandchildren, Amy (James) Mullen, Daniel (Jennifer) Sieve, Timothy (Sylvia) Larson, Derek (Keo) Larson, Julie (Ryan) Seiler, and Natalie (Sawyer) Schafbuch, and her 12 great-grandchildren, Ian and Lilah Mullen, Owen and Hannah Sieve, Jane and Maggie Larson, Naomi and Joanna Larson, Ida and Calvin Seiler, and Zoe and Elliott Schafbuch. They all loved and laughed with their "GG".

She loved playing cards, belonging to at least three or four bridge clubs at a time. She loved anything to do with words – word games like Scrabble or crossword puzzles, and reading books, often two or three at one time. When she eventually lost her eyesight, these pastimes were dearly missed. She also served on the Britt Library board and acted in many plays through the Hancock County Little Theater.

After Dad's passing, Mom divided her time between Iowa in the Spring and Summer (both in Britt and Spirit Lake) and Texas with Susan during the long and cold winter months. This companionship over the years created a special bond. She was more than a mother, she was a dear friend. When she could no longer make the trip to Texas, Susan would come to Iowa or Mom would stay with Steve and Shelly in Ames. In doing so, we were all able to "enjoy" countless hours of "Murder She Wrote" and Hallmark movies. We gave her a pair of socks one Christmas with printing on the bottom that read, "If you can read this, I'm watching Hallmark".

At 96, listing family who pre-deceased her would be a very long indeed. The top of the list is her husband of over 55 years, Jerry Larson. As a believer in Christ, Mom is now at home with the Lord and reunited with him in heaven. Also, living a long life leaves behind numerous progeny and extended family. Most notable, along with the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, is her sister, Pat Sampson, of Kanawha. Memorial services are planned for mid-June, 2026 at the Ewing Funeral Home in Britt.