Helen Marie Larson

Helen Marie Larson, 92, of Benton Harbor, peacefully passed away Friday, June 27, at Caretel Inns of Lakeland, where she had been a resident for seven years. Born in Iron River, WI, on July 23, 1915, the second child of Leo and Alma Mitchell. Helen graduated from Iron River High School where she was a 15 year- old valedictorian. While in Wisconsin, Helen met and married her husband of 61 years, Einar (Larry) A. Larson, who preceded Helen in death in 1998. Helen and Larry lived in Sault Ste. Marie and East Lansing, MI while Larry pursued a teaching career. In 1949 they finally settled in Fairplain where Larry joined the teaching staff within the business department at Lake Michigan College and Helen began a 12 year position at the News Palladium (Herald Palladium). Helen’s surviving family includes a sister, Ivis Milligan of Beloit, WI; two daughters, Laryl L. Morrison of Rochester, MI and Ann M. (Robert) Peapples of Media, PA; three loving grandchildren, Scott R. Peapples of Noblesville, IN, Nicole A. Peapples of Media, PA, and Meredith L. Morrison of Ferndale, MI; and one precious great granddaughter, Corrine Noelle Peapples of Noblesville, IN. Helen’s interests included retreats to their summer cottage at Goulais Bay, Ontario, Canada; numerous Bridge and Canasta games; gourmet cooking, especially her pies and doughnuts; the Red Hat Society; and her church activities while being a charter member of the Fairplain Presbyterian Church. Visitation for Helen will be held on Tuesday, July 1, from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., at Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. A brief Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 10:00a.m., at the funeral home. A private interment for Helen will be held at North Shore Memory Gardens in the Garden of Love. Memorial contributions may be made to Caretel Inns of Lakeland. Friends wishing to sign the family guestbook, or to share a memory, may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com