Inez M. Larson
Inez M. Larson, age 95, of Benson, MN passed away peacefully among family Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at her home at Scandi Haven Village in Benson, MN. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 23, 2021, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson, MN with Visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Cemetery, Benson.
Inez Marie Larson was born in Clontarf, Minnesota, February 27, 1926, to Ole and Helena Olson. Inez attended school in Clontarf and Benson, graduating from Benson High School in 1944. She graduated from the Fairview Nursing Program in 1947, earning her degree as a Registered Nurse through the Nurses Cadet Program during World War II. A portion of her training was at the Gillette Children’s Hospital during the Polio epidemic. She shared many stories of the tenacity, toughness and patience of those children.
Inez married Herbert “Hub” Larson November 6, 1948, and they raised five children -- Deb, Becky, Pam, Tom and Kirsten -- and made their home in Benson, just steps from the hospital where Inez spent much of her working life. During her nursing career, Inez worked at Swift County Benson Hospital and Meadow Lane Nursing Home in Benson. In a snap, Inez could go from raising her children and household chores to “nurse mode”: smart, efficient, compassionate and uncompromising when it came to getting patients the care they needed. While attending a birth, she phoned a doctor on call, who asked how much time he had to get there. “I don’t know,” Inez replied, “but the eyes are blue.”
Inez and her family enjoyed spending time at their lake cabin even though she never learned to swim. She also enjoyed listening to music and attending plays and musicals. Inez saw productions of “Fiddler on the Roof” numerous times since it was the one musical during which Hub wouldn’t fall asleep. Inez and Hub also enjoyed traveling to visit family, which included a 1977 trip to their homeland of Norway. Inez enjoyed mind challenges. Unbeatable at Scrabble and other word games, she also knew virtually every answer on episodes of Jeopardy.
In retirement, after Hub passed, Inez moved to Scofield Place, which is now Scandi Haven Village. She enjoyed working her crossword puzzles, watching Hallmark Channel movies, visiting with her neighbors and staff friends and taking part in the many SHV activities. Inez was a lifelong member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church and served the church in several capacities, including Smorgasbord Planning and Serving, Prayer Group, Circle and Quilt Groups. She also helped start a Homemakers Group with a group of other women.
Inez is survived by her children and spouses: Deb and Randy Petrick, Becky Romosz, Pam and Rodney Rice, Tom Larson, and Kirsten and Jim Neely; grandchildren Jamie Petrick and wife Lexi, Ross Petrick and wife Katie, Peter Rice and wife Tamara, Heidi Rice, Sam Rice and Emma Neely; great grandchildren: Caden Petrick, Easton Petrick, Grayson Petrick, Lucy Petrick, Kadlin Wheeler and Elliot Rice. She also is survived by Del and Ardis Larson, friend Jeannette Evenson and many Olson and Larson nieces and nephews and their families.
She was preceded in death by Hub, her grandson Eric Romosz and members of the Olson and Larson families.
Houseman Funeral Home in Canby, MN is entrusted with the arrangements.
