Emily (Williams) Larson ’65 P89 P93

Emily Ruth Larson, 71, died Sunday, July 6, 2014 at home, surrounded by family, on the ranch she loved so much.Emily was born December 22, 1943 in Oskaloosa, Iowa to Charles A. and Hester (Wray) Williams.  She was a whirlwind of activity at Oskaloosa High School, Class of 1961. She received a B.A. in English from Carleton College in 1965.  Her freshmen year at Carleton she met the love of her life, David Larson.  They were married in 1965, spent two years in Coronado, California, and then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1975, they surprised everyone, when they accepted a partnership position in a Montana cattle ranch and moved their young family to Chinook, Montana.  In 1978, they purchased their own ranch north of Big Timber, Montana.  Together, Emily and David built one of the premier Red Angus cattle herds in the country.  Emily loved to talk extensively about cattle, usually with a small dog (or two) at her feet.Though small in stature, Emily was a vibrant woman of immense spirit and determination. Beset by increasingly painful medical problems for the last 25 years, she maintained an optimistic and courageous outlook.  Emily didn’t let anything keep her from being a loving wife, mother, and friend.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on Emily’s behalf to the chronic pain program at the Bozeman Deaconess Foundation, 931 Highland Blvd., Suite 3200, Bozeman, MT 59715 (memo line: Palliative Care).She is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Dave, and their three children: Chris Larson (Cassandra Dickson ) of Portland, Oregon; Kim Larson of Bozeman, Montana; Amy Larson (Brent McDaniel) of Portland, Oregon; and two grandchildren. Other survivors include her sister, Lynn Jorgensen (Jim) of Minneapolis, Minnesota and her brother, John Williams (Karin) of Midlothian, Virginia. Her parents and her sister, Dr. Helen Holmes, predeceased Emily.A memorial service was held at the Larson ranch in Big Timber, Montana at 4:30 PM, August 2. A short reception will follow.