In Memory of Marlene Kay Larson

Marlene Kay Larson, age 69, of Cambridge died March 31, 2010. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, April 2nd at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Branch. A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. Thursday, April 1st at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel. Visitation also one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment Sunset Memorial Gardens in Minneapolis.

Marlene Kay Larson was born November 2, 1940 to Arnold and Katherine Bailey in St. Joseph, Missouri. She was raised in St. Paul, Minnesota and graduated from Murray High School in 1958. Marlene also attended the University of Minnesota. On July 2, 1960 she married Rodney Larson at Jehovah Lutheran Church in St. Paul. They lived in Minneapolis before moving to Golden Valley where they raised their family. Marlene was a pre-school teacher in Golden Valley and was also involved with “Diggers Garden Club” and became president of the organization.

Marlene and Rodney then moved to North Branch where they owned “Kozy Oaks Campground”. Six years later they moved to Mora where they made their home for 20 years. Marlene became a realtor and worked with Dala Realty in Mora. She also worked at Mora Tan and Travel. Two years ago they moved to Cambridge.

Marlene was a strong advocate for mainstreaming hearing impaired children and her devotion and hard work advanced her cause and led to her oldest daughter becoming an audiologist. Marlene loved gardening, walleye fishing at the Lake of the Woods, and traveling. She also loved camping with her family and she had a passion for painting, especially scenes from her camping experiences.

Marlene is survived by her loving husband, Rodney; three daughters, Kay (Jim) Naggatz of North Branch, Susan (Dan) Lyden of Andover, and Pamela (Eric) Christlieb of Victoria; one brother, David Bailey of Roseville; 8 grandchildren, Nicholas, Brian, Jenna, Cassandra, Kelsi, Michael, Kathryn and Angela; 3 great-grandchildren, Olivia, Parker and Brady; and by other relatives and friends.