Mary Larson

Mary A. Larson (Mrs. Duane Larson), 79, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, July 16, 2009, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls under the care of Lakeland Hospice. Mary was born on November 9, 1929 in International Falls, the daughter of Mike and Eudochia Bocnuk. She graduated from the International Falls High School in 1947 and was employed by City Drug Store until she moved to Minneapolis. She took nursing classes at Glenwood Hills and was later employed by Fullerton Lumber Company of Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota Heart Hospital and Drs. Sweetser and Sweetser in Minneapolis. On September 10, 1960 she and Duane Larson were married at Grace Methodist Church in Fergus Falls, MN. After moving to Fergus Falls, she was employed by the Fergus Falls Clinic. Following the birth of her children, she was a stay at home mother until they graduated from high school. Later she took classes at the Fergus Falls Community College where she received her Associate of Arts degree. Mary was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was active in FFHS Band Boosters, Church Wednesday School and PTA.  In her younger years she was an accomplished ice skater, and a member of the International Falls Skating Club. Mary and Duane had three children: a daughter, Mary Frances who died at birth on July 1, 1964; a son James, who resides in Buffalo, MN with his wife Christie and daughter Grace; and daughter, Kathleen of St Louis Park, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sibling, her brother, William and his wife Lelah Bocnuk-Asplund, and her infant daughter, Mary Frances. Survivors include her husband Duane Larson of Fergus Falls, daughter Dr. Kathleen Larson of St. Louis Park, son James (Christie) Larson of Buffalo, MN and a granddaughter Grace Larson. Mary is also survived by a brother Nick (Nancy) Bocnuk and their three children of Marshfield , WI, niece Debbie Bocnuk, nephew Brent Bocnuk both of Grand Rapids, as well as her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Iris Larson of Colleyville, TX and their daughter, Patsy Jo (Ed) Tighe of Grapevine, TX. Visitation:   One hour prior to the service at the church Service:  11 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at Grace United Methodist Church, Fergus Falls Clergy:    Reverend Robert Kandels Interment:  Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com