Obituary of Betty Arlene Larsen

Betty Arlene (Burge) Larsen passed away on the evening of her 81st birthday, Sept. 27, 2016, at the North Shore Hospital in Grand Marais. Born to Freda (Stelter) and William Burge in Weyauwega, Wis., Betty was the middle child in a family of seven. Betty moved to Grand Marais in 1958 where she met her husband, Lloyd C. Larsen, and they were married May 7, 1960. Betty enjoyed gardening, baking, playing piano, celebrating holidays, hosting family cookouts, camping and fishing. She served as a Bluebird troop leader and volunteered for the Violence Prevention Center and for the Senior Center. For many years she worked as an executive secretary/payroll clerk at the North Shore Hospital. Betty was active in the Congregational Church. Her faith in God was her source of strength, along with her love of people. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Lloyd Larsen; adopted son Daniel; parents Freda and William Burge; sisters Faye (Burge) Palmer, Lila (Burge) Garner and Carol (Burge) Hagdon; her older brother, George Burge; niece Susan Burge; and nephews Mark Burge and Brian Hagdon. Betty is survived by her loving daughter, Cynthia Carol (Craig) Larsen-Neimi of Grand Marais; cherished granddaughter Andrea Lynn Larsen of Grand Marais; son Lawrence (Faith) Larsen of Batavia, N.Y.; grandchildren Kevin, Michelle (Daniel) Dowell and Janelle Larsen; sister Joyce (Francis) Drouillard; brother Ray (Marion) Burge; and many nieces, nephews, friends and people who she considered her extended family. A CELEBRATION OF BETTY'S LIFE: 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, in First Congregational Church in Grand Marais.