Barbara grew up in Superior, Wisconsin, where she was born at home on February 5, 1928. She graduated from Superior Central High School in 1945. Barbara attended the University of Wisconsin, Superior, for 1 year, and then attended St. Luke's School of Nursing for 3 years, receiving her Degree as a Registered Nurse. She was the assistant head nurse at St. Mary's Hospital in Minneapolis until she left to raise her family. Barbara resumed her career as a Registered Nurse in 1973 and worked at Trevilla of Golden Valley and Trevilla of New Brighton Long Term Care Facilities.
Barbara enjoyed travel - visiting 48 states, 9 Canadian provinces, Mexico and the Bahamas. She loved her cabin on Otter Tail Lake, spending many hours fishing and swimming. Barbara and Stanley spent many weeks and summers at their cabin, and after Stanley passed, Barbara continued to enjoy this peaceful place. She loved reading mysteries and gardening, especially flowers. She loved puzzles - crosswords, sudoku, word finds, cryptograms, jigsaw puzzles, etc. Barbara would always read the entire newspaper from front to back. She loved music - Polka and Big Band, and The Lawrence Welk Show. She also enjoyed cross-stitching. Barbara cherished spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, showing her love as a grandmother.
She is preceded in passing by her husband, Stanley Larson Jr.; daughter, Deborah Ann; grandson, Blake; brother, Lauren; sister, Virginia; mother, Gertrude Klang Dixon; father, Harold Dixon.
Barbara is survived by her children, Jennifer Pettit, Sandra Larson, Pamela Nelson (Jack), Bob (Maureen) Larson, David (Dorrese) Larson, Kent (Diana) Larson; 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and other family members and friends.
Join us to celebrate Barbara's life on Wednesday, November 27, at Gearhart Funeral Home, 11275 Foley Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN, 55448. Visitation from 12 - 1 pm and service at 1:00 pm. Interment to follow at Morningside Memorial Gardens in Coon Rapids.
