Constance Larson

Constance Mary Larson (nee Kelly), was born on July 8, 1928 in Lansing, MI. She grew up in East Lansing where she attended East Lansing High School. Connie began her studies in nursing at Michigan State College but transferred to Sparrow School of Nursing so she could "fast track" to becoming an R.N. She graduated from Sparrow School of Nursing in 1949.

Almost immediately after becoming an R.N., she headed west to Colorado where she started her nursing career. She met her husband Joe C. Duncan shortly after her arrival in Colorado. The two of them were married in 1950. They settled in Colorado Springs and gave birth to their five children there. Connie and Joe created many happy memories for their five children-especially birthdays, holidays and family outings.

When Joe passed away in 1967, Connie was left a widow and single mother at the age of 38. She had to immediately return to work as a full time R.N. In 1969, Connie and her youngest four children moved to East Lansing, Michigan in order to be closer to her mother and her brother and his family. In 1980, Connie married Harry Larson and moved to Grand Rapids.

Connie and Harry loved to "take road trips" to visit her children, grand-childern and other relatives in other parts of the country. With her deep love of history and nature, they rarely passed a historic site or park without stopping for a visit.

After Connie retired, she continued to travel. Her happiest memories were of family gatherings in the Straits of Mackinac. She also immersed herself in Civil War History as a "Daughter of Union Veteran's of the Civil War." Connie was an active volunteer and mentor for "Kid's Hope" at Kent Hills Elementary School and also for youth programs at Fourth Reformed Church.

Connie had a deep faith, expressed through her kind and caring words and actions. She always put others first and always had words of comfort and encouragement for those who needed it. Connie always had a stack of cards so she could send off a thank you card, sympathy card or birthday card on a moment's notice.

In her final years, a very special project was the "Prayer Shawl Ministry" at Fourth Reformed Church. After Connie moved into Resthaven Homes and was no longer able to go to the church for the weekly meetings of the knitting group, they brought the group to Connie. They were last able to meet in person on March 12, 2019. Connie was there, joining in the knitting and laughter.

Connie is predeceased by her parents, her husbands, Joe C. Duncan and Harry J. Larson and her oldest daughter, Stella Duncan. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Jane (Richard) Larson, Bill (Nathalie) Duncan, Vicki (Ian) McCargar, Joe Duncan and stepson Tom Larson. Other family members include her grandchildren Alysia Burton Steele (Bobby), Angela Burdick, Reid (Nikki)McCargar, Drew (Dani) McCargar, James (Lizeth) Duncan and Sarah Duncan plus great grandsons Cormac McCargar, James Thomas Duncan and Jackson and Harrison Burdick; sister Jane Wonch. brother and sister-in-law Jim and Joanne Kelly, nephew and nieces including niece Linda (Joe) Meadows.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Resthaven Homes and Faith Hospice and to Pastor Eric Schalk and the members of Fourth Reformed Church.