Kristi M. Larsen

Kristine "Kristi" Marie Larsen passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the age of 64 with family members by her side.
Kristi was born on November 5th, 1959, in Storm Lake to Christian "Chris" and Helen (Schoon) Juilfs of rural Fonda. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. John Lutheran Church in Rural Palmer.
Kristi attended Fonda Community School where she graduated in 1978 and met the love of her life, Brian Larsen. Kristi and Brian were united in marriage on June 6th, 1981. After they were married, the couple lived in Fonda and had two children, Sara and Andrea.
While her priority was always family, Kristi entered a life-long career of service. She provided daycare to many children of the Fonda area. This enabled her to remain a stay-at-home mom and care for her own daughters. After the girls reached school age, Kristi became an associate on the bus with her mother-in-law, Marie. The two of them shared many stories of the children they became close with over the years. Later on, Kristi also worked as a teacher's associate in the Fonda building. After leaving the school district, Kristi began work at the Buena Vista County Jail. Throughout her years of service, she made many life-long friends and memories to cherish.
Even before her work experiences, it was evident that caregiving was one of Kristi's many gifts. She was a caregiver to all, including her mother, her husband, her daughters, her family and her friends. It was not in Kristi's nature to have others care for her; but through the past three years, her loving-kindness was returned to her by Brian, her daughters, family, and friends.
Kristi enjoyed many hobbies including tending flowers gardening, and canning. Many summer days, you could also see Kristi out and about logging many miles on her bike. Her favorite interest of all was her grandkids. She spent many days and evenings attending their activities. Kristi and Brian made countless trips to Florida to catch a game here and there, always picking up right where they had left off the time before.
Kristi was an active member at Faith Community Church. Her faith and unwavering belief in Christ sustained her throughout her life, especially during tough battles. Through her, people saw Jesus and the miracles He delivered.
Kristi entered Heaven while leaving behind her beloved husband, Brian of Fonda; daughters, Sara (Fabian) Dodd of Coral Springs, FL and Andrea (Austin) Vanderhoff of Newell; grandchildren, Ethan, Joshua, and Kennedy Dodd and Madelyn, Macy and Evelyn Vanderhoff; siblings Kathy Pudenz of Ringsted, Denny (Shelly) Juilfs of Fonda, Dave (Kim) Juilfs of Fonda and Bev (Tony) Tiedeman of Fonda; mother-in-law, Marie Breon of Fonda; in-laws, Dan Tastad of Fonda, Brad Breon of Milford, Ken (Carol) Larsen of Cedar Rapids, Greg (Lisa) Breon of Indianapolis, IN, Diane (Jim) Harrison of Fonda, Denise (Barry) Tegels of Urbandale, Barb (Paul) Rebhuhn of Pocahontas, Kim Siddall of Fonda, and Kevin (Trish) Larsen of Fonda. Kristi also left behind many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, and countless friends to cherish her legacy.
She was welcomed to Heaven by her parents; sister, Elaine Tastad; father-in-law, Donald "Tiny" Larsen; step-father-in-law, Donald "Tuffy" Breon; brother-in-law, Terry Siddall; step-brother-in-law, Dannie Larsen; niece, Kara Pudenz, and great-nephew, Elijah Morgan.