Official Obituary of
Iris J. Larson
January 13, 1929 ~ February 25, 2018 (age 89) 89 Years Old
Iris Larson Obituary
Iris Jean Gale Larson, age 89, of Reeve, WI, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, February 25, 2018.
Iris entered this life on January 13, 1929, at the Gale family farm near Reeve, WI, the daughter of Leo and Pauline (Larson) Gale. She grew up near Reeve and was a faithful member of the Reeve Evangelical Free Church, where she chose to be baptized as a young adult. Iris attended Reeve country school by “walking up hill both ways.” She graduated from Clear Lake High School. Iris was a Daddy’s girl, tomboy, and could be found milking cows, riding horses, and playing her dog Bones’ favorite game of rolling empty maple syrup cans down the hill. Iris was musically gifted and would often join her sisters Crystal and Lorraine at the family piano accompanied by their mom Pauline. Their dad, Leo, not to be left out, would reach for his violin to play “Turkey in the Straw” while the rest of the kids would dance a jig. Later, while serving in World War II, Iris’ brother Keith would brag that his sisters singing sounded even better than the popular Andrews Sisters.
Wayne Larson, a handsome young man from Jones Creek School stole Iris’ heart. After his induction in the US Navy, they were married on August 23, 1947, in Castro Valley, California and remained so for 67 years. They were to be blessed with seven children: Joe, Mona, Don, Dan, Beth, Dick, and Jean. The blessings continued with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Iris often said that God’s greatest blessing to her were her kids and grandkids. Her most treasured time was in the company of her family. Grandma Iris loved to show her children and grandchildren how to help others.
Iris was a homemaker and a true Pioneer Woman. Her gardens were legendary, producing hundreds of cans of delicious home grown food. Weeding the garden was the notorious method of teaching discipline and values of hard work to the entire family. In 1978 Iris decided to broaden her experience by attending and graduating from Eau Claire Cosmetology College. She beautified the community by cutting and perming hair. Her servant’s heart led her to care for the old and young alike. Iris seemed never to be still for long and was known to be a bit of “a spitfire” and a determined task master. The word “wait” was not in Iris’ vocabulary. This passion was extended to animals and led her to donate the use their rural property to the Reeve Riders Saddle Club. Her mare, Shantih, was her equine companion. Even with a full and busy schedule, Iris found time to continue her music and loved singing at church, weddings, funerals, and with the Sweet Adelines.
First and foremost in Iris’ heart was to share her Jesus with everyone. She wanted everyone to have a personal relationship with Christ. She was compassionate, generous, loving, and devoted to the service of others. Iris loved and was loved.
She is preceded in death by her parents Leo and Pauline Gale; husband Wayne; son Joe; daughter-in-law Julie; brothers Ward and Keith Gale; sister Crystal Ewers; several brothers and sisters-in-law; grandchildren Robert Larson, Jolene Larson, Eric Larson, Eric Moe; and great-grandchildren Seth Larson and Juan Espinal.
Survived by:
Sister: Lorraine Monson
Daughter-in-law: Betty Larson
Sons and Daughters:
Mona (Randy) Paulson
Don (Jill) Larson
Dan (Jocelyn) Larson
Beth (Keith) Smith
Richard Larson
Jean Larson (Scott Ertle)
Grandchildren:
Michelle Rufledt, Keri Espinal, Paula Reed, Craig Dorn, Ron Dorn, Jeremy Larson, Kelly Loibl,
Ashley Larson, Melissa Larson, Andrea Larson, Scott Larson, Andrew Smith, Kristin Leines,
Victoria Larson, Jessy Larson, Aaron Moe, Paige Moe.
Numerous Great and Great-Great-grandchildren.
Many nieces, nephews, family, & friends.
Visitation Service: Friday, March 2, from 4-7 at Reeve Evangelical Free Church.
Funeral Service: Saturday, March 3, at 11:00 with luncheon to follow, clergy Todd Groat.
Private Interment at the Reeve Cemetery in Vance Creek, WI.
Scheuermann Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Clear Lake handled the arrangements.
www.clearlakefuneralhome.com
Iris entered this life on January 13, 1929, at the Gale family farm near Reeve, WI, the daughter of Leo and Pauline (Larson) Gale. She grew up near Reeve and was a faithful member of the Reeve Evangelical Free Church, where she chose to be baptized as a young adult. Iris attended Reeve country school by “walking up hill both ways.” She graduated from Clear Lake High School. Iris was a Daddy’s girl, tomboy, and could be found milking cows, riding horses, and playing her dog Bones’ favorite game of rolling empty maple syrup cans down the hill. Iris was musically gifted and would often join her sisters Crystal and Lorraine at the family piano accompanied by their mom Pauline. Their dad, Leo, not to be left out, would reach for his violin to play “Turkey in the Straw” while the rest of the kids would dance a jig. Later, while serving in World War II, Iris’ brother Keith would brag that his sisters singing sounded even better than the popular Andrews Sisters.
Wayne Larson, a handsome young man from Jones Creek School stole Iris’ heart. After his induction in the US Navy, they were married on August 23, 1947, in Castro Valley, California and remained so for 67 years. They were to be blessed with seven children: Joe, Mona, Don, Dan, Beth, Dick, and Jean. The blessings continued with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Iris often said that God’s greatest blessing to her were her kids and grandkids. Her most treasured time was in the company of her family. Grandma Iris loved to show her children and grandchildren how to help others.
Iris was a homemaker and a true Pioneer Woman. Her gardens were legendary, producing hundreds of cans of delicious home grown food. Weeding the garden was the notorious method of teaching discipline and values of hard work to the entire family. In 1978 Iris decided to broaden her experience by attending and graduating from Eau Claire Cosmetology College. She beautified the community by cutting and perming hair. Her servant’s heart led her to care for the old and young alike. Iris seemed never to be still for long and was known to be a bit of “a spitfire” and a determined task master. The word “wait” was not in Iris’ vocabulary. This passion was extended to animals and led her to donate the use their rural property to the Reeve Riders Saddle Club. Her mare, Shantih, was her equine companion. Even with a full and busy schedule, Iris found time to continue her music and loved singing at church, weddings, funerals, and with the Sweet Adelines.
First and foremost in Iris’ heart was to share her Jesus with everyone. She wanted everyone to have a personal relationship with Christ. She was compassionate, generous, loving, and devoted to the service of others. Iris loved and was loved.
She is preceded in death by her parents Leo and Pauline Gale; husband Wayne; son Joe; daughter-in-law Julie; brothers Ward and Keith Gale; sister Crystal Ewers; several brothers and sisters-in-law; grandchildren Robert Larson, Jolene Larson, Eric Larson, Eric Moe; and great-grandchildren Seth Larson and Juan Espinal.
Survived by:
Sister: Lorraine Monson
Daughter-in-law: Betty Larson
Sons and Daughters:
Mona (Randy) Paulson
Don (Jill) Larson
Dan (Jocelyn) Larson
Beth (Keith) Smith
Richard Larson
Jean Larson (Scott Ertle)
Grandchildren:
Michelle Rufledt, Keri Espinal, Paula Reed, Craig Dorn, Ron Dorn, Jeremy Larson, Kelly Loibl,
Ashley Larson, Melissa Larson, Andrea Larson, Scott Larson, Andrew Smith, Kristin Leines,
Victoria Larson, Jessy Larson, Aaron Moe, Paige Moe.
Numerous Great and Great-Great-grandchildren.
Many nieces, nephews, family, & friends.
Visitation Service: Friday, March 2, from 4-7 at Reeve Evangelical Free Church.
Funeral Service: Saturday, March 3, at 11:00 with luncheon to follow, clergy Todd Groat.
Private Interment at the Reeve Cemetery in Vance Creek, WI.
Scheuermann Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Clear Lake handled the arrangements.
www.clearlakefuneralhome.com
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