PEABODY - Delores G Larson (Dee), age 89 of Peabody Massachusetts passed away peacefully on Monday, May 30, 2022. Born at home in Cottonwood Minnesota on February 12, 1933, Delores was the daughter of Melvina Volden Nelson and Herbert R Nelson. She attended University of Minnesota majoring in Home Economics where she was a member of Clovis -the 4H Sorority on campus. After college graduation Dee accepted her first teaching job in Stillwater MN where she met her husband Russell A Larson. Russ’ job brought them to Spokane Washington, then to Milwaukee Wisconsin, Groveland MA, and finally to Boxford Massachusetts where they raised a family and lived for 42 years. After Russell passed Delores spent her last 12 years living at Brooksby Village in Peabody Massachusetts. Delores was grateful to have spent her life with her late husband Russ, her daughters Roxanne and Wayne Saunders (Rowley Ma) and Kari and AJ Boucher (East Hampstead, NH) and her 6 Grandchildren: Darren Saunders and fiancé Meagan Knowles, Alex Saunders, Bethany Saunders, Emma Boucher, Samantha Boucher and Hannah Boucher. Raising her family she “held down the fort” during Russ’s business trips, especially during the Apollo and other space missions.
Dee outlived all her siblings and their spouses Herbert (Lavern) Nelson, Ihleen (Robert) Gunderson, and Harriet (Jerry) Chamberlen. She was a beloved aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Being a home economics major, Dee spent her life teaching, sewing, painting, crafting, cooking and caring for others. Prior to starting her family she was a home economics teacher and later returned to her teaching roots as an aide and substitute in Boxford. She was also Girl Scout leader helping girls earn their sewing badges. .
Dee was extremely proud of her Scandinavian heritage and was active in both the Birka Scandinavian and Sons of Norway Morgensolen lodges. She was an integral part of one of the largest Scandinavian Christmas Festivals in New England- the Nordic Fest held at the Topsfield fairgrounds for over a decade. Having a passion for music Dee enjoyed dancing with the Birka Scandinavian Dancers where the group performed at events and festivals from New York City to Maine. She also studied Norwegian which she was able to use during her many travels. She mastered Rosemaling – (a style of Scandinavian painting) studying at Vesterhiem in Decorah Iowa, Voss Norway and Fletcher Farm in Ludlow Vermont. Dee and Russ enjoyed several trips in their retirement years traveling to Norway and Sweden.
Delores was also an avid seamstress sewing for her two daughters and grandchildren. Her most notable sewing projects included making Roxanne’s wedding dress and all of the bridesmaids’ dresses for Roxanne’s wedding. She enjoyed designing and making curtains and quilts for herself and others. She loved learning new skills; once at
Brooksby Village she continued her painting but also joined a Mahjongg group and also learned Tai Chi. She won many awards for sewing, painting and flower arranging.
Faith was tremendously important to Delores throughout her lifetime. Once residing in Massachusetts Dee and Russ were members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence MA where Dee was active in organizing church fairs and plays. After moving to Boxford the couple were members of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Topsfield where Dee was a choir member. Dee once again used her artistic skills crafting Chrismons for the church Christmas tree;. Finally Dee and Russ joined Faith Lutheran Church in Andover MA where Dee was also a choir member, baker for Fellowship Hours, participated in Bible Study groups, went of retreats, and was active in Primetimers. She also sewed many of the banners hung in the sanctuary, many of which are still used today. Delores’ strong sense of faith acted as her guiding principles.
ARRANGEMENTS - A memorial service will be held on Friday June 17th at 11:00 am at Faith Lutheran Church, Andover Massachusetts with a luncheon to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her honor to the Breast Cancer research at Lahey Health: Gift Processing Center Office of Philanthropy, 330 Brookline Ave (OV), Boston, MA 00215. On check memo line write Breast Cancer Research in Memory of Delores G Larson. Donations may also be made to Hospice: Care Dimensions - giving.caredimemsions.org, or Faith Lutheran Church – 360 S. Main Street, Andover, MA 01810.
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