Mary Larson

Funeral Mass: Saturday, May 26, 2012 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield at 10:30 a.m. with burial in the Fontanelle Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the burial at the church.

Family Visitation: Friday evening May 25, 2012 at the St. John’s Catholic Church from 6 to 8 p.m.

Scripture Service: Friday evening at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield.

Memorials: In Lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the St. John’s Catholic Church, Adair County Memorial Hospital or Fontanelle Rescue Unit.

Mary Ann (Vernia) Larson was born August 15, 1924 in Odebolt, IA to Ernest and Anna Vernia. She passed away on Monday, May 21, 2012, at the Deerfield Community in Urbandale, Iowa, at the age of 87.

She (Sis) and her 7 siblings grew up on a farm. Mary graduated from Odebolt High School in 1941 and was employed by the Odebolt Bakery. On January 22, 1949, Mary was united in marriage to Harold Larson and began their life near Wall Lake. In 1964, they moved their family to a farm north of Fontanelle to raise their 5 children. Following her husband's death in 1984, Mary moved to Greenfield and enjoyed working at Breadeaux Pizza and Adair County Historical Museum. Mary enjoyed baking, (was well known for baking of her pies, buns, cakes, and rolls), reading, sewing, gardening, couponing, and spending time with her family. She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church and the Altar and Rosary Society.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Harold; parents Ernest and Anna Vernia; a son, Alan Larson; 5 brothers; and her son-in-law, Guy Powell.

She is survived by her children: Gary (Peg) Larson of Winterset, Gene Larson (Joel) of Urbandale, Kathy (Al) Strang of Knoxville, Debbie (Tim) Sly of Wadena, MN; her sister Barbara (Bobbie) and Joe Faber of Wichita, KS; her brother Ronald (Sue) Vernia of Corsicana, TX; sister-in-law Jan Vernia of Seattle, WA; sister-in-law, Mavis Kluver of Wall Lake, IA; daughters-in-law Mary Powell and Helen Larson; grandchildren Scott (Deb) Larson, Nicole (James) Riley, Sara (Jason) Swestka, Sean (Michelle) Larson, Melissa (Blake) Norton, Angela (Andy) Engles, Ryan (Melissa) Larson, Anna (Patrick) Wyatt, James (Teresa) Larson, Jamie Strang, Stephanie Strang, Joshua (Julie) Strang, Jessica Sly, Meghan Sly; 18 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.