March 28, 2024

Carole and Alan Larsen

Clearfield

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved parents Carole Elisabeth Larsen, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, and Alan Eugene Larsen, Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. Their remains have been cremated.

Due to COVID-19 and in accordance to CDC guidelines, a Facebook livestreaming service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, via Ritchie Funeral Home Facebook page. Al Rusk will officiate.

The burial of their remains will occur at a later date. Memories may be shared at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to your local animal shelter in Carole and Alan's names. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.

Carole Elisabeth Larsen, 78, daughter of Lester Ellis and Daisy Elisabeth Casendane (Gries) Kepner, was born May 5, 1942, in Onawa. She was the youngest of five children. She graduated from Onawa High School and The Stewart School of Cosmetologists in Sioux City. Carole was very active in church, dance, choir, piano and hairstyling when growing up, which led to her first career in cosmetology.

Alan Eugene Larsen, 78, son of Alvin Christian and Alice Eugenie (Jensen) Larsen was born Aug. 9, 1942, in Castana. He was the fourth of five boys. He graduated from Castana High School. Alan grew up on the family farm and was very active in sports. He excelled the most at baseball as a talented pitcher, “Whitey Larsen,” but he was very humble and didn’t feel the need to share much about this unless asked. But even then, he never chose to boast.

When Alan and Carole first met July 4, it was love at first sight. Carole thought Alan was the most handsome man she had ever seen. During a gathering of friends at Blue Lake, Alan swam out to her on a dock, but he then realized that he didn’t know how to swim and his friends had to use a boat to get him back to shore. They married on February 4, 1962. To this union five children were born: Kim, Kysa, Jari Jo and twins Steven and Stacy.

They made their family home in Moorhead, where Alan was the manager of the Moorhead Co-op for 16 years. The family moved to Clearfield in 1984, where Alan managed the Taygold Co-op for 24 years before retiring in 2008.

Carole ran the household and worked various jobs throughout the years at the Beauty Shop, Clearfield Post Office, Bunn-O-Matic and Clearview Nursing Home. All of the singing and dancing Carole did when growing up paid off as she often liked to sing and dance the snack cart up the hallways of the nursing home, bringing a smile to many faces.

Friends were important to them and they spent many afternoons and evenings visiting over coffee, playing cards and even drinking a beer or two. Fishing for bullheads and crappie in local farm ponds was one of Carole’s favorite hobbies.

In retirement they enjoyed taking Sunday drives through the cemetery; looking at crops; listening to Golden Oldies trips to Walmart (where they would knock over displays with their scooters); meticulous yard work; knitting sweaters and slippers; feeding stray animals, birds and squirrels; spending time with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and visiting with friends and family on the front porch.

Alan was always quick-witted and Carole enjoyed playing pranks, a perfect combination for fun.

Their final days were spent at Ringgold County Hospital after Carole sustained an injury and then at Lenox Care Center where they were both admitted just days before Alan suffered a stroke. They spent their final hours side by side, hand in hand and surrounded by their loved ones.

Alan was always a man of his word, and his last words to Carole at the hospital were, “You ready to go, Ma? I’ll meet you there.” Alan joined Carole in heaven 9 1/2 hours later, bringing an end to their love story of 58 years. We can only imagine the joy they had when they were greeted by all of their beloved pets who were waiting for them at the rainbow bridge.

Preceding Carole in death were her parents, sister Viola and brothers Vernon, Kenneth and Donald.

Preceding Alan in death were his parents, brother Eric and wife Carole by nine-and-a-half hours.

Survivors include children: Kim (J.L.) Hunter of Lanark, Illinois, Kysa (Ted) Gordon of Sharpsburg, Jari Jo (Brian) Cleary of Clearfield, Steven Larsen of Bedford and Stacy (Scott) Stephens of Stonewall, MB Canada; grandchildren: Ryan (Summer), Sara (Nicholas), Dustin, Colton, Cody, Kaitlyn (Austin), Seth (Cassidy), Annie, Nickie, Gage and Emma; great-grandchildren: Elsie, Caroline, Sawyer, Emmaraye, Isabella, Saige, Breann and Alexis. And lastly, Alan’s older brothers Norman, Arne and Milo.

Although Alan and Carole will be greatly missed,

their love and inspiration will live on through their family.

May they both be at peace in God’s loving care.