Nancy Larson

1935 - 2023

Nancy Larson

December 7, 1935 - October 14, 2023

Tacoma, Washington - On October 14th, our mother Nancy Larson-"the nicest woman in the world"-passed away and joined our father Ruggles Larson 10 months to the day after he passed. Nancy began her 67 year marriage to Ruggles at 10 o'clock at night, following his victory during a boxing match. They had a profound love for one another, and Nancy would become the foundation of a large family-5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

It is a great challenge to properly honor our mother with only a few paragraphs. Nancy was a rare spirit, and her unique character, immeasurable love, and positive energy defy count and explanation. Nancy had the sweetest soul, and once you met her, you loved her immediately.

Nancy was born in Oklahoma, and raised in Buckley, Washington. She was the youngest of 8 children, and graduated from White River High School. She was a cheerleader in high school, and had a passion for music, piano, guitar, and singing on the local church radio station with her sister Doris. After high school, Nancy became a dental assistant, and soon met Ruggles. Her passion for cheerleading and sports complemented Ruggles' own passion for sports as a multi-sport athlete.

Nancy situated her life around her family, in order to maximize the effects of the love she had for all of us. So rich was her love that everyone who walked through the door of the "big house on the hill" was accepted. Your faults didn't matter-you could do no wrong in her eyes. Nancy was the epitome of selflessness, and her family always came first. She had a way of listening that always made you feel special, interesting, and truly heard. When it was her turn to tell a story, she was enchanting and entertaining, and captured our attention with her humor-she was such a character! She had a well-rounded love for the arts, music, gardening, fishing (she'd fish your lake dry), painting, and sports-particularly baseball and football. Her extensive interests and activities made her a well-rounded and informed partner in conversation; her life experience and character made her an expert in compassion and counsel.

Nancy could take an ordinary day and turn it in to something special, cook the best meal out of nothing, and she gave us an unbelievable life, full of love and fun. We had the best lives on earth because of her, and we felt it every day that we spent with her. She was truly an amazing woman.

Thank you for the gift of sharing your life with us, mom. You have touched so many hearts in a way that few can. "It's not goodbye, it's I'll see you later".

Celebration of their lives will be held November 4th at 1:00pm at their home.