Lucille “Lucy” A. Larson, age 87 of North Branch died October 20, 2023 at Ecuman North Branch. A funeral service will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday, October 25th at Strike Life Tributes in Cambridge with a visiting time one hour prior. Interment will be in Rice Lake Cemetery in Braham.
Lucille Augusta Larson was born April 9, 1936 in Grenora, North Dakota to Everett and Ruby (Nelson) Melby. She was raised on the family farm just west of Grenora in the rural Dagmar, Montana community. With her love of animals, she tended to the chickens, milked cows, had pet rabbits and cats, and rode her horse “Lady” almost daily.
Lucille attended a one-room country school. Unable to travel to high school because of the distance, she was hired to care for two infant girls while their parents taught school in Dagmar. She met Lawrence Larson from Stanchfield Township, Minnesota through mutual friends. They were married June 15, 1968 in Grenora, ND. Lawrence and Lucille resided near Braham, MN on his family farm. They were members of Braham Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Lawrence and Lucille raised many different breeds of rabbits and were members of a local rabbit club. They also had horses and belonged to a local saddle club, taking part in their events. They always attended their local fairs and the MN State Fair with entries of their rabbits and many other items, winning several trophies and ribbons. Lucille also enjoyed watching Little House on the Prairie shows, drives to the north shore with picnics, staying at cabins and fishing.
Lawrence passed away Aug. 16, 1999. Lucille resided on the farm until failing mobility and health moved her to Cambridge. After more health issues, she moved to Ecumen North Branch, where she resided since. She loved to communicate with family and friends by phone.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; parents, Everett and Ruby Melby; brother, Vernon Melby; and brother-in-law, Gordon Severson. She is survived by her sister, Linda Severson; niece, Paula (Brian) Oswald; nephews, Dallas (Jennifer) Severson, Gordon Severson, Jr. (Graciela); sister-in-law, Nona Melby; niece, Jeannett (Chris) Oswald; nephews, Marcus, Craig and Brian (Greg) Melby; 11 great-nieces and nephews; and 5 great-great-nieces and nephews; longtime friend and helper, Lea Henkel; and other relatives and friends.