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Florence Lorena (Spease) Larsen, age 97 of Blair, passed away peacefully August 2, 2024. Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at First Lutheran Church in Blair, Nebraska. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Private graveside services will be held at the Blair Cemetery.

Florence was born Nov. 1, 1926, in Hooper, Nebraska, the daughter of James and Lizzie (Heller) Spease. Her family resided several years in Stuart, Nebraska, living in the upstairs of the depot where her father was a station manager for Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Due to her father’s employment Florence lived in several other small towns in Nebraska, graduating from Hooper High School in 1944.

Florence then started her teaching career at District #51 in Washington County, attending Midland Lutheran College in the summers to obtain her teaching certificate. Florence went on to teach in Howells, Oakland, and Herman, Nebraska, working with all ages of students as a music teacher, as well as a kindergarten and first grade teacher.

While teaching in Oakland, Florence met Philip Larsen. The couple were married August 26, 1951, at Salem Lutheran Church in Fremont, Nebraska, and made their home in Blair, Nebraska. Along with being a homemaker, Florence taught herself bookkeeping to assist Phil in his construction and real estate businesses. She was a longtime substitute teacher in Washington County schools and enjoyed volunteering at First Lutheran Church, Danish American Archive & Library, and elsewhere in the Blair community. Forever a teacher at heart, Florence served as 4-H Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, and Sunday School teacher. Florence enjoyed many hobbies: playing the piano, family genealogy, and china painting, among her favorites. She was co-founder of the Blair China Painters Club and served as president of the Nebraska China Painters Club.

Above all else, Florence treasured time spent with her family and many friends. Florence is survived by her children: Diane (Gary) Madsen, Keith (Lori) Larsen, Lorene Larsen; grandchildren: Lars (Julie) Madsen, Leif (Amanda) Madsen, Joseph (Rachel) Evans, Jakob Larsen; five great grandchildren; sister-in-law Agnes Paulsen, along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Phil Larsen; her parents; an infant son; and sisters Lois Cunningham and Lila Ronan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church in Blair, the Danish American Archive & Library (DAAL) in Blair, Oaks Indian Mission in Oaks, Oklahoma, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Services by Campbell Aman Funeral Home, Blair, NE. www.campbellaman.com

#2 Published by Omaha World-Herald from Aug. 7 to Aug. 9, 2024.

Florence (Spease) Larsen

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November 1, 1926 - August 2, 2024

Florence Larsen, age 97, of Blair.

MEMORIAL SERVICES: 2 p.m., Saturday, August 10, 2024, at First Lutheran Church in Blair, NE. VISITATION: one hour prior to services at the church. PRIVATE GRAVESIDE SERVICES, Blair Cemetery.

Survivors: children, Diane (Gary) Madsen, Keith (Lori) Larsen, Lorene Larsen; grandchildren, Lars (Julie) Madsen, Leif (Amanda) Madsen, Joseph (Rachel) Evans, Jakob Larsen; five great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Agnes Paulsen; many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home 444 S 17th Street, Blair, NE

#3 Funeral leaflet

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In Loving Memory of Florence Lorena Larsen

Born November 1, 1926 Hooper, Nebraska ~ Entered Into Rest August 2, 2024 Blair, Nebraska

Memorial Service 2pm Saturday, August 10, 2024 First Lutheran Church, Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Pastor Glen Thomas. Pianist: Clare Cowing. Vocalist: Nancy Kedzior. Musical Selections: "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", "His Eye Is on the Sparrow", "God Be With You Till We Meet Again"

Honorary Pallbearers: Lars Madsen, Leif Madsen, Joseph Evans, Jakob Larsen, Cole Madsen, Elodie Madsen, Brenna Madsen, Reese Madsen, Julia Evans.

Final Resting Place: Blair Cemetery, Blair, Nebraska.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home

~~~Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #273309610