Helen Larson

Helen R. Larson was a strong, caring woman who loved cats, gardening and the Republican Party. She was a self-made person and extremely independent, yet very giving to others. She loved her friends and family and underneath her cheerful outlook on life was a reservoir of strength, upon which those around her depended. Always thinking of others first, Helen was both blessed by, and a blessing to, those she loved

Axel and Gerda (Carlson) Larson were living in Carr Settlement in 1923. Carr Settlement today is an area about six miles square, partly in Lake County and partly in Mason County. It is located on each side of the County line, about four miles south of Branch, and about eight miles southwest of Baldwin, Michigan. The Larsons were farmers in this small community and worked hard to support themselves and their eight children. On January 3, 1923, child number nine joined the family, baby Helen. When the family was complete Axel and Gerda were blessed with ten children – Olive, Lorean, Dorothy, Oliver, Leonard, Leslie, Howard, Warren, Harold, and of course, Helen.

Growing up during the Depression was difficult and everyone did their share to support the family. Helen preferred to do household chores, over farming chores. She did not care for milking cows and would rather sweep and clean. While growing up, her family was instrumental in building the Evergreen Covenant Church in Carr Settlement, establishing a basis for the faith that would support Helen all through her life. She attended the Locke School, a one-room schoolhouse in Mason County and graduated from Lake School in the early 1940’s.

After graduation, Helen moved to Grand Rapids with her sister Lorean, during the time of World War II. She found a job working for the Wurlitzer Company making jukeboxes as the music of the Big Bands and Swing was becoming popular. Still thinking of her family, much of what she earned was sent back to Carr Settlement for their financial support. But Helen was very frugal with her money and by the time she was 27 she was able to buy her own home. She eventually purchased several rental properties throughout Grand Rapids, including one that became her home on Alger Street SE. After Wurlitzer, Helen moved on to Steelcase, where she was employed as a production worker. She stayed with Steelcase until her retirement.

Along with her other properties, Helen had a summer cottage located on family property in Carr Settlement. This was her “home away from home” and she often vacationed there. She would invite her nieces and nephews, and in later years her great-nieces and nephews to stay with her. This was something they all looked forward to, and together they made many happy family memories.

Helen was extremely independent and could do almost anything. She loved to garden and her home in the city was the setting for a beautiful garden. Blessed with a green thumb, it was said that Helen “could grow a tree out of a table leg.” She enjoyed handcrafts, especially painting, and loved animals, cats in particular. She traveled extensively throughout the United States, but when holidays came around, Helen was usually found at home. Christmas was the most important holiday for it meant that she would be surrounded by her family. When it came to politics, Helen was a staunch Republican. If you were not of the same thinking, well, “you might as well turn around and walk out the door.”

In later years, Helen found comfort and support in her faith. She often attended Christian Reformed Churches in Grand Rapids and maintained her membership with the family church, Evergreen Covenant, in Carr Settlement. She shared her faith through her big heart and her willingness to help others in need.

Helen Larson truly knew how to enjoy, cherish and celebrate every moment that life had to offer. Her deeds and actions are an inspiration to those who knew and loved her. She will be greatly missed.

Helen Larson passed away on Friday, March 4, 2005 at Spectrum Health—Butterworth Campus. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Olive Tolles, Lorean Overby, and Dorothy Larson, and her brothers Oliver, Leonard, Leslie, Howard, and Warren Larson. Helen will be greatly missed by her brother Harold Larson of Scottville, and her sisters-in-law Mrs. Howard (Margaret) Larson of Cleveland, and Mrs. Warren (Evelyn) Larson of Custer, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many cousins. A Celebration of Life service will be held for Helen at 3:00 PM on Saturday, March 12 at the Evergreen Covenant Church in Carr Settlement, with Rev. Bud Faulk officiating. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Carr Settlement. Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation on Saturday from 1:00—3:00 PM at the church. Please visit Helen’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may leave a memory for her family, or make a memorial contribution to the Humane Society of the donor’s choice. Funeral arrangements are being cared for by the Stephens Life Story Funeral Home in Scottville.