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GEORGIA SPANDE LARSON
June 8, 1913 - December 4, 2012
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Georgia Larson passed from this life on December 4, 2012 at Green Lea Manor in Mabel, Minnesota. She was born on the Bjorn Spande homestead in Newburg Township, Fillmore County, Minnesota on June 8, 1913 to Nils Bjornson Spande and Gertie Jacobson Haga. She was first a student at the Newburg School and later graduated from Mabel High School in 1930. She graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota in 1934 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Georgia taught science, biology and French at Emmons High School, Emmons Minnesota, from 1934 to 1938. Llewellyn (Lew) Larson and Georgia were married at the Lutheran parsonage in Mabel on August 24, 1938. The couple farmed on the Oliver Larson farm 1 mile east of Mabel for two years. Subsequently, they moved to the Spande homestead 1 mile north of Newburg village. There they operated a diversified farm, raised their family and eventually moved to their retirement home on Fillmore Avenue in Mabel in 1975. Georgia was supportive of Lew’s 18-year commitment as a County Commissioner and Minnesota State Senator. She was a member of the Newburg school board serving as board secretary. Georgia worked with Fillmore County Social Services as a child welfare specialist for 20 years and upon retirement worked as a librarian at the Mabel Public Library. Georgia was a life-long member of the Scheie Lutheran Church, being the first child to be baptized in the current church building. She was pianist and organist at the
church her entire adult life, last playing the pipe organ there on her 95th birthday. She served as Sunday School teacher, superintendent and Ladies Aid officer. Georgia was an active volunteer at Green Lea Manor for many years, playing the piano for church services and sing-alongs. She was a prolific reader, enjoyed crossword puzzles and traveling North America with her sister-in-law Verna Burreson in retirement. She enjoyed a trip to Norway to visit cousins on the family farms in 2000. Georgia began driving the family auto at the age of 12, as neither of her parents cared to drive. Eighty-four years later, she discontinued driving.
Georgia is survived by daughter Martha (Glen Lager) of Caledonia, MN, son Brian (Jennifer Garrett) of Dowling, MI, daughter-in-law Liz Larson, Fridley, MN grandchildren Karen Krzebietke (Robert), Linda Calkins (Jay), Stephanie Larson, Sarah Powell (Steven), Melanie Walsh (Louis) and Bjorn Larson, six great grandchildren and four great, great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her brothers Bjorn(Buren), Albert (Abbie), Victor, Burton and George Spande, her sister Mildred Kingsbury, her husband Lew Larson, son Neil Larson and daughter-in-law Sharon Larson.
Funeral services will be 11 AM Monday, December 10, 2012 at the Scheie Lutheran Church in rural Mabel with the Rev. Mary Waudby officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 – 7 PM Sunday, December 9th at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel and one hour prior to services at the church. Memorials in Georgia’s memory are suggested for the Scheie Lutheran Church or the Mabel Public Library. |
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