Lila F. Larson

Lila Fay (Peterson) Larson, 92, entered her eternal home on October 11, 2025 at the Spring Valley Health & Rehab Center where she resided for the past two-a-half years. She was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend whose compassion, strength, and faith left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

She was born March 4, 1933 to Huldah and Dewey Peterson and grew up on a dairy farm in rural Maiden Rock, WI. It was there that she developed a special gift for helping the injured and abandoned. She nurtured this gift by tending to chickens that couldn’t walk, an orphaned raccoon, and two calves who didn’t quite fit in with the herd. But, her terrier, Tubby, was always her best childhood companion.

After graduating from Maiden Rock School, Lila followed her calling to care for others and entered the Luther School of Nursing in Eau Claire, WI. She became a registered nurse three years later. During her training, she spent time at Cook County General Hospital in Chicago, where she cared for severely burned and psychiatric patients–work that she’d never forget.

On June 23, 1951, Lila married the love of her life–a schoolmate, Burton Larson, at the Methodist Church in Maiden Rock, WI. Burton, a freshly enlisted Navyman and Lila, still in nurse’s training, only had 11 days together before Burton was deployed to the Middle East to help establish radio relay stations in Libya as the Korean War progressed. They would not see each other for two years.

Over a span of the next four years, their marriage would be blessed with three children: LuAnn Kopp, Steven Larson, and Lauran Larson. They made their first home in Winona, MN, where Burt worked nights as a railroad telegrapher while attending college by day on the GI Bill, while Lila was deep in diapers with the little ones. After Burt graduated with his business degree, the family moved to Viroqua, WI. Burt began teaching, while Lila started her nursing career at Vernon County Memorial Hospital, often working nights and “specialing” very ill patients. Her young son would play with his farm toys on her bed while she slept for a couple hours during the day. Even with her busy schedule, she found time to lead a Brownie troop. A few years later, they returned to Maiden Rock, purchasing the Standard Oil bulk delivery business. Burt handled the oil route while Lila worked nights at Plum City Hospital. When the hospital transitioned into a nursing home, she became Director of Nursing at TAD Memorial and earned her administrator’s license–serving in both capacities until a new administrator could be hired. An additional role she took on was teaching nursing assistant classes. She was the first nurse in Wisconsin to earn geriatric certification. During this time, they also purchased and operated Lila’s childhood home farm. In 1970, they moved to Ellsworth, where Burt returned to teaching and Lila continued her nursing career in Plum City. Eventually, they settled on their property between Ellsworth and Plum City, where they spent 25 happy years together caring for the yard and gardens. Lila retired from Plum City after 18 years, and worked part-time at Strom’s Group Homes in Ellsworth until Burt retired from the Ellsworth School District. Their final move brought them back to Ellsworth, where they enjoyed a smaller yard and closer proximity to friends and church.

Lila delighted in spending time with friends, old and new. They looked forward to annual fishing and camping trips. Most Friday nights were spent hitting up local fish frys and playing cards. They had a group of friends who never missed an all-night card game after a dinner out on New Year’s Eve, a tradition that continued for over 50 years. They traveled the country in their fifth-wheel camper–always with a beloved dachshund, Gretchen, by Lila’s side–and spent fifteen winters at their home in Arizona. When they could no longer make the drives around the country on their own, they found a way to continue traveling by taking bus tours. They especially loved the “mystery tours” with the final destination a surprise. Wherever they went, they made new friends and kept them. Her address book was overflowing.

Her happiest moments were those spent surrounded by her family. The Larson home was a place of laughter and togetherness. Lots of stories were told of times past and cherished relatives no longer with us. Lila passed on all family traditions. It was a rite of passage for every grandchild to learn how to play cribbage, rap poker, and Skip Bo around the dining room table. Burt made homemade card holders in his woodshop, so even the smallest hands could join the fun. For their 6th birthday, each grandchild was given a 1:1 trip to Crystal Cave. Days with Grandma were filled with sewing, crafting, and heading into town to find some vintage treasures. Sleepovers at Grandma’s were many and always ended with prayers and back tickles. Most special to Lila was teaching her grandchildren the art of lefse making, which she often described as one of her proudest accomplishments. A large gathering of family all pitched in to make the precious potato flatbread each year for Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Lila ensured that even a new boyfriend or friend, had a stocking hanging and gift to open. The night always ended with the most anticipated gift of all–Lila’s lefse!

Faith guided Lila’s every step. She was a dedicated member of the English Lutheran Church in Ellsworth. She founded a ministry called The Doorkeepers to bring comfort and connection to community shut-ins. She was also a member of Naomi Circle and altar guild. Lila lived her faith sincerely, gently, and openly with those who crossed her path. Lila prayed for everyone daily. Her last wish was for everyone to know how much she loved them.

Lila was preceded in death by her parents, Huldah and Dewey Peterson; husband Burton Larson; sister Vera Joyce Sarnstrom; brothers-in-law Raymond Dettling and Lowell Larson; sister-in-law Alice Larson; nephews Lyndon Dettling and Eric Larson; special uncle George Nelson; and all of her treasured dogs who walked alongside her through the seasons of her life. She is now home with Jesus where she was longing and praying to be.

Those that will be missing her include: daughter LuAnn (Gail) Kopp; sons Steven (Lorrie) Larson, and Lauran (Jan) Larson; grandchildren Jessica Larson, Kevin (Sarah) Kopp, Kristen (Dale) Elbe, Anna (Nate) Lloyd, Elyssa Larson, Grey Larson, and Dana Larson; great grandchildren Caleb Kopp, Augustus Elbe, Oscar Elbe, Mason Kopp, Alaina Lloyd, Mila Elbe, Tyler Kopp, and Evelyn Lloyd; sister-in-law Luella Dettling, nieces Kathleen Herbison, Karen (James) Hoyt, Rosella Sarnstrom, Nora (Marty) Lowry, Charlotte Shelton, Janita Plachecki; special great niece Shemagne (Brian) Mullins; nephews Ken (Carol) Sarnstrom, Ethan (Laverne) Larson and other extended family members and dear friends.

The family wishes to give a heartfelt thanks to the caregivers–turned cherished friends–who supported Lila throughout her later years. She loved them all dearly and considered them family. We extend a very special thanks to Sheila, Jodie (and Hank, the dog), Cindy, and Carol who continued visiting regularly when Lila went to the Spring Valley Health and Rehab Center. She really looked forward to those interactions which resulted in many laughs and funny stories and always a LOT of love. When the time came, without hesitation, Lila chose to go to Spring Valley and enjoyed the caregivers there also. There are too many to name but they, without fail, had smiles and compassion to show at all times. She loved her room and her view out her window to the woods where she watched the animals and the birds. We are so grateful for each one who treated her so kindly. We also thank the St.Croix Hospice community who stuck with her these last years. The many visits helped fill her days with pleasant people and positivity. They helped make her as comfortable as possible and helped guide her in her last journey to her forever home.

A celebration of Lila’s life will be held at English Lutheran Church with Pastor Pete Warren on Friday, October 24, 2025. There will be a visitation at 10 a.m. with the service beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at Maiden Rock Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ellsworth. For more information or to share a memory, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-273-4421.