Frances A. Larson, 88, of Austin, died Sunday, April 7, 2013, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home in Austin. Frances Arlene Bird was born Oct. 10, 1924, in Osage, Iowa, to Omer and Inga (Hagen) Bird. She was a 1944 graduate of New Richland High School. On May 20, 1945, she married Berdin “Dean” Larson in Portsmouth, Va., where Dean was serving in the Marines. They were married for 64 years. Frances was an excellent homemaker, sewing clothing for her daughter and making good bread, buns and lefse. She loved to stay connected with people by writing letters and sending out dozens of Christmas cards. Frances was a prayerful woman, leading family prayers and her circle meetings. A member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, she was active in WELCA and the Sunday school program. Frances also volunteered at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home, St. Olaf Scandinavian Days, was a member of the YWCA ‘Y’ Matrons and enjoyed crafts, tole painting and rosemaling.

Survivors include her sons, Jeff (Cherri) Larson of Brooklyn Park, Paul (partner Jan Wiezorek) Larson of Chicago, Keith (Nancy) Larson of Rochester; daughter, Debra (Steve) Burma of Austin; daughter-in-law, Joanne (Paul) Nesse of Prescott, Wis.; grandchildren, Amanda (Mike) Schlafke of Hayward, Wis., Jesse (Jill) Burma of Lyle, Katrina (Ben) Resman of St. Paul, Chad Burma (Sara Greer) of Austin, Alicia Nesse of River Falls, Wis., Sara (Adam) Schlaeger of Rochester, Corey Larson of Winona; great-grandchildren, Marshall Burma and Colton Burma of Lyle, Mason Schlafke of Hayward, Wis.; sister Rosella Peek of Bloomington; brother, Lyle (Darlene) Bird of Freeborn; and sister-in-law, Lila (Bob) Evans of Peoria, Ariz. She was preceded in death by her parents, Omer and Inga Bird; her husband, Berdin Larson in 2009; son, Gary Larson; and her sister, Bernice McArdle.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with the Rev. Kristi Koppel officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be in Le Sueur River Lutheran Cemetery in New Richland. Memorials are preferred to St. Olaf Lutheran Church building fund or recipient of donor’s choice. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.