DOROTHEA MAE LARSEN
Dorothea Mae Larsen, of Clearfield, daughter of William and Nellie (Shelby) Nocton, was born September 27, 1925 at home in Westboro, MO. She passed from this life on December 14, 2016 at Clearview Home in Clearfield, IA.
Dorothea attended and graduated from Westboro School. Her family lived on a farm near Westboro so during her high school years, she boarded with a family in town. Dorothea graduated in May of 1943 and was united in marriage on July 18, 1943 to Orrin Dale Larsen, also of Westboro. They moved to Clearfield, Iowa with Orrin’s parents to farm at that time. Orrin’s mom was dealing with breast cancer so Dorothea was in charge of the household which included “waiting” on six boys. Orrin went into the service and Dorothea stayed with his family.
Into this marriage, two children were born: Sandra Maralene and William Chris.
As she and Orrin raised their family, Dorothea helped out on the farm and cooked noon meals for hired hands. She was a 4-H leader and a Sunday school teacher. Dorothea was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, Clearfield United Methodist Church, and the U.M.W.
Orrin and Dorothea square danced in Gravity, Iowa and were part of the Happy Camper Club and the Clearfield Lions Club. They always looked forward to the Iowa State Fair. Orrin and Dorothea started going to south Texas in the early 1970s. They made many friends there, and Dorothea stayed in contact with and visited with them to this day.
Dorothea’s greatest joys were raising her kids and being able to be a part of her grandkids and great grandkids lives. Many hours were spent babysitting, attending school activities, sporting events, etc. She liked to be part of it all.
Dorothea is survived by her two children Sandra Maralene (Richard) Longfellow of Cheyenne, WY and William Chris (Connie) Larsen of Clearfield, IA; six grandchildren Mary Mathison of Cheyenne, WY, Michelle Mae (Chris) Wyant of Steamboat Springs, CO, Megan Lee (Chris) Evans of Yuma, CO, Katrina Lynn (Adam) Dredge of Mount Ayr, IA, Lucas William (Beth) Larsen of Clearfield, IA, and Andrea Christine (Josh) Broesder of Algona, IA; twelve great grandchildren Lance Mathison, Mahala Wyant, Coy, Cassidy, Cash, Cross Evans, Adalynn, Tarynn Dredge, Crew, Trey Larsen, Carson, Dillon Broesder; sister Martha (Max) McKinley of Sacramento, CA; brother Marvin Nocton of Red Oak, IA; brother-in-law Jim and wife Eleanor Larsen of Decatur, Alabama; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father Bill and Nellie Nocton; in-laws Chris and Fern Larsen; husband Orrin Larsen; granddaughter Monica Longfellow; sister and brother-in-law Helen and Glenn Larsen; sister Ann (Carroll) Polsley; in-laws Richard and Darlene Larsen, Boyd and Cleota Larsen, Harold Larsen, Priscilla Harvey.
Armstrong Funeral Home of Clearfield and Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements. A memorial fund has been established in her name to be decided later.
Services were held Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Clearfield, Iowa with Rev. Michael Shaffer and Pastor Bill Armstrong officiating.
Casket bearers were Lucas Larsen, Chris Wyant, Chris Evans, Adam Dredge, Josh Broesder and Greg Powell. Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Horton, Murph Murphy, and Larry and Jeanette England.
Burial is at the Clearfield Cemetery in Clearfield, Iowa.
