Annette Marie Larson died Tuesday, February 24, in Wheaton, Illinois, at the age of 97.
Born April 29, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, to Frank E. and Emma Knutzen, Annette graduated from Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. On October 21, 1950, she married Arthur (“Art”) Larson, Jr., in Hinsdale, Illinois.
Annette wore many hats. She was a 2nd grade school teacher at Arbor View School and a high school English teacher at Glenbard West, both in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and director of volunteer services for Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois. She also volunteered as a choir director at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, and was active in the DuPage County Republican Party and the Sweet Adelines. When she and Art retired to Eddyville, Kentucky, she joined the Eddyville Woman’s Club, the Saratoga Homemaker’s Club, the Red Hats, and the Lakes Area GOP Club, and was a past Lyon County Republican Election Commissioner. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she was a member of St. Barnabas in Glen Ellyn; Kuttawa Independent/Kuttawa United Methodist Church in Kuttawa, Kentucky; and Eddyville Methodist Church, Eddyville, Kentucky.
She and Art loved traveling to such diverse places as England, Morocco, Greece, Italy, Austria, and many places in the United States and Canada, the latter mostly on family camping trips. Florida was a special favorite, and they spent several winters on the Gulf. She made many friends wherever they lived. Especially dear were those in Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas, Florida; Eddyville and Kuttawa, Kentucky, including Bend of the Rivers and Moon Bay Harbor; and Glen Ellyn, Illinois, not only during the family’s years in Valley View, but later among the residents and staff while at the Brookdale Senior Living community – the Lakeshore Golden Girls in particular.
In the words of her granddaughter, Cheris: “To know Annette was to laugh, to love, and to walk away with at least one lasting memory – if not dozens. She continued to love fiercely, make quick, witty comments, and she knew what she wanted and would make it happen – right up until the very end.”
Mrs. Larson is survived by her daughter, Karen Anne (Victor) Zwierlein of Grand Prairie, Texas; sons, Stephen Michael (Ame) Larson of Bloomington, Illinois, Keith Arthur (Margaret) Larson of Wheaton, Illinois, and Thomas Craig (Carol) Larson of Olmitz, Kansas; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Evelyn Knutzen Hill, her brother, Frank Knutzen, Jr., and her husband of 62 years, Arthur Larson, Jr.
Private services will be held at Lakeland Funeral Home, Eddyville, Kentucky on March 7, followed by a graveside service at Rolling Hills Cemetery, Eddyville.
Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army, Easter Seals, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
