Mildred Larsen

Mildred M. Larsen 81, of Atlantic passed away on Friday morning, December 12, 2003 at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa. Mildred was born on September 6, 1922 to Charley Niels and Clara Petersen Hansen on a farm west of Exira, Iowa She grew up in Exira and graduated from the Exira High School in 1939 and attended one more year as a post graduate. Mildred taught country school in Pymosa and Grove Townships in Cass County. She was married to Emmert Matinus Larsen and they farmed north of Kimballton until moving to Atlantic in 1946. After Emmert"s passing, Mildred sold the home place and moved to Lewis in 1987. Mildred was a long-time employee of the Van Cleaves for both Van & Bob Van Cleave at Van"s Chat and Chew restaurant on west seventh street and Bob and Pat Van Cleave"s Downtowner Café in Atlantic. She was instrumental in implementing the first handicap classes in Atlantic, and also had worked at West Central Development Corporation retiring in 1998. Mildred was a member of the Lewis United Congregational Methodist Church, Amvets Auxiliary and the Lewis Booster Club. She also dressed dolls for Christmas toy give-away, served as a Hitchcock House volunteer and also served on the West Central Development Board of Directors. Mildred is survived by five daughters Barbara Macke of Wymore, NE, Bonnie Archibald and husband Kevin of Atlantic, Pamela Shannon of Waukee, IA, June Rush of Council Bluffs, IA, and Joan Ridgway and husband Mike of Colorado Springs, CO, one son Rick Larsen and wife Jolene of Atlantic. Eleven grandchildren Heather Ann Sandstrom and husband Brian, J.K. Shannon, Sara Elizabeth Shannon, Brittany Marie Ridgway, Amanda Rochelle Rush, Betsy Jo Larsen, Heath Wyatt Larsen, Ryan Keith Archibald and wife Carla, Aaron Brent Archibald, Brooke Kristyne Archibald Watson and husband Jason, and Jonathan Martinus Macke; six great grandchildren Cody Alexander and Carson Reese Sandstrom, Jacinda Lee Shannon, Tyler W.L., and Sage K.M. Archibald and Reagan Natalie Watson. Two sisters Charlene Davis and special friend Earl Rasmussen of Council Bluffs and Alice Hood and husband C.B. of Overland Park, Kansas. One sister-in-law Mary Larsen of Danville, IA and many nieces and nephews. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, husband Emmert, her granddaughter Stacey Ann Swisher, her sisters Virginia Hansen and Mary Ann Hood and her brother Charles Hansen.Funeral InformationIN MEMORY OFMILDRED M. LARSENBorn September 6, 1922West of Exira, IowaENTERED INTO RESTFriday, December 12, 2003Atlantic, IowaAt the age of81 years, 3 months, 6 daysFUNERAL SERVICEWednesday, December 17, 2003Eleven o"clock A.M.Lewis United Congregational Methodist ChurchOFFICIATINGThe Rev. Sharon Guffey-Lewis Lewis United Congregational Methodist ChurchMUSICAL SELECTIONS"In The Garden&""One Day At A Time&"SINGERRandall BreckerbaumerORGANISTSharon BreckerbaumerBEARERS J.K. Shannon Aaron Archibald Ryan Archibald Jonathan Macke Heath Larsen Jason WatsonHONORARY BEARERS Kevin Archibald Michael Ridgway Brian Sandstrom Roger Bonnesen David Davis Dan Rush Clyde Hood III Dan Davis Donnie Russell David LarsenFLOWER COMMITTEE Bob and Pat Van Cleave Shirly Shannon Duane and Evona BillingsINTERMENTAtlantic CemeteryAtlantic, IowaFriends and relatives are invited to return to the Lewis Community Center for lunch and fellowship following the committal service.