Arlys M. Larson, 94, of Breckenridge, and formerly of Gettysburg, passed away Saturday, June 1, 2013, at Sanford Palliative Care in Fargo, N.D.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Gettysburg, with Pastor Peter Utecht officiating. Burial will follow at the Gettysburg Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at Luce Funeral Home, Gettysburg, with a 7 p.m. prayer service.
Arlys Marion Woitte was born in Milbank on Sept. 30, 1918, to Emil and Mina Woitte. She grew up with her three brothers: Gayle, Keith, and Robert. She moved to Gettysburg in 1928 and graduated from Gettysburg High School. She then attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen. As a school teacher, Arlys taught in rural schools in Potter County for four years.
Arlys married Curtis Larson in Butte, Neb., on Sept. 24, 1941. They lived in California before moving back to the farm in Gettysburg, four miles north of town. In 1970, they left the farm and moved into Gettysburg, where she resided until July 2011, when she moved to St. Francis Healthcare Campus.
Family was extremely important to Arlys. She enjoyed any time spent with her children and grandchildren. As a farm wife and mother, Arlys was always interested in the weather and crops in the area. She enjoyed reading, knitting, sewing and baking. Arlys was active in Bible studies, both in Gettysburg and Breckenridge. She was a member of the LWML, Cunningham Extension Club, Emmanuel Lutheran Choir, and the Medicine Rock Senior Citizens Center. She volunteered for many years with the Gray Ladies, providing assistance to the elderly at the Gettysburg Hospital and Oahe Manor. Arlys was noted for her dedication and work at the church, tirelessly serving on lunch committees for church events, taping "Dial a Devotion" monthly and quilting with the other women.
Those left to cherish Arlys's life are her five children: Sue (Bill) Sanger, Ponsford, Minn., John (Maureen) Larson, West Chester, Pa., Kerry (Cathy) Larson, Gettysburg; Wanda (Bill) DeMik, Loveland, Ohio, Connie (Paul) Mauch, Wahpeteon, N.D.; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Arlys was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis, in 2003; her parents; and her three brothers.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Arlys's arrangements.
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