Donella Dolly Valentine Larson, 96, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at Oakland Park Communities in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at 3:00 PM, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Bob Dahlen and Reverend Sheila Michaels Co-officiating. Interment will take place in the in Holt Cemetery, Holt, MN.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN.

Donella Taylor was born February 14, 1915, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Swank) Taylor near Jamestown, ND. When Dolly was 12 years old the family moved near Middle River, MN and she attended school in Middle River.

Dolly was united in marriage to Irvin Larson on September 26, 1933 at the parsonage in Holt, MN. Dolly and Irvin made their home near Holt, and in 1958 built a house on their 40 acres of land. While living in there, Dolly was a very active member of Nazareth Lutheran Church. In the late 1960s, Dolly and Irvin moved to Strandquist. She was instrumental in starting the Senior Citizens Club in Strandquist, which she ran for many years and was also a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church. Irvin died in 1975 and later Dolly moved to Thief River Falls. She moved to Oakland Park Communities on July 21, 1994, where she has since resided.

Dollys hobbies included sewing doll quilts, working puzzles, reading, and doing beadwork. In her lifetime, Dolly knitted hundreds of pairs of mittens, selling some and giving some away as gifts. She proudly kept her children and grandchildren supplied with homemade quilts for many years.

Dolly will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

She is survived by four children, Gordon Larson of Newfolden, MN, Margery (Jim) OBrien of Woodbury, MN, Roger (Judy) Larson of Strandquist, MN, and Donna Larson of Thief River Falls, MN; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Dolly was the longest living child from a family of 12 children. Also preceding her in death are her husband, Irvin; son, Vernon, and daughter-in-law, Rheta Larson.

SPECIAL MUSIC: Granddaughter, Erica Larson, The Old Rugged Cross & In The Garden
HONORARY CASKETEARERS: All of Dollys Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren