Carmen Larson Thief River Falls, MN age 88 died peacefully on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine, MN with her loving family at her side. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. John Golv & Rev. Ale Tulu officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM on Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church. Carmen experienced a long, fruitful, determined life. Her vibrant spirit, energetic attitude and infectious laughter inspired all whom she encountered. Her giving nature and care for family was where she found her purpose in life. She had a tremendous love for the Lord and graciously shared that with those around her. We find hope and promise in the knowledge that she has been reunited with her dear husband, Cliff, who left us here on earth just over two years ago. Carmen was born to Carl and Marion (Fanning) Green on December 26, 1924 in Thief River Falls, Minn. She was baptized, confirmed, married and continued to be a life-long member at Zion Lutheran Church. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1943. Carmen married Albert Clifford Larson on February 24, 1952 in Thief River Falls, Minn. It was here that they raised their family in the same house for over 50 years, bringing up their sons, Mark and John, in the Christian life and faith. Carmen lived for her boys, wrestling with them in the living room before school in the mornings and cooking dinner in the infamous yellow casserole bowl. She worked for the Northwestern Bell phone company, as an election judge and became a well-known face as the demo lady at local grocery stores. She thoroughly enjoyed serving on the Oakland Park Nursing Home board, the Pennington County Welfare board, teaching Sunday School, singing in the church choir and volunteering for other various activities. Carmen and Cliff shared over 59 happy years, attending church suppers, rummage sales, going on road trips, visiting family and enjoying rides in the car together. They loved attending Billy Graham events and living out their Christian faith in their daily lives. Her support through Cliff's heart issues and surgeries was steadfast. He called her Carm,' and she wrote many notes and letters to him, reminding him that he was the love of her life. She loved the gorgeous colors of a sunset and was an elaborate flower gardener. She had a clever sense of humor and wrote the wittiest captions on the back of her pictures. She gave the most practical gifts of sweaters, and always brought buns and lefse to holiday dinners. Her grandchildren were welcome to sit on her lap while she popped her chewing gum and they sang together an unhurried rendition of "Jesus Loves Me," so she could be sure they learned all of the words. She also took great pride in being able to bring four of her grandchildren to school in the mornings. She was a real woman of God; spirited, loving, strong, authentic and true. The kind of wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend that one feels truly blessed to have had in their life. We are absolutely honored to have witnessed the great love story of Carmen and Cliff, to have shared in their lives and been the recipients of such sincere love and goodness. We will pass on their stories and carry their memories with us forever. Carmen, your life will be celebrated for the joy and love that you brought to ours. So long, dear one, so long. Carmen is survived by her two sons: Mark (Shari) Larson, Thief River Falls, Minn.; John (Sharon) Larson, Moorhead, Minn.; six grandchildren: Carissa Larson (Charles Conduah), Benjamin (Holly) Larson, Rebecca Larson (Dustin Isaak), Andrew Larson, Petra (Grant) Vanderford and Zackery Larson; brother, Don (Phyllis) Green, Detroit Lakes, Minn.; sister, Helen Seline, Appleton, Wisc.; brother-in-law, LaVerne (Connie) Hamre, Thief River Falls, Minn; sisters-in-law, Glorian Green, Edina, Minn.; and Gloria Larson, Thief River Falls, Minn.; many nieces and nephews. Carmen was preceded in death by her husband, Albert "Cliff" Larson; her parents; brothers, Carl Green, Jr. and Paul Green; sisters, Dorothy Soeby, Marion Lorenson and Hildegarde Hamre; brothers-in-law, Howard Soeby, Ben Hamre, Palmer Lorenson, Herb Seline and Lester Larson; sister-in-law, Beverly Hamre.