DeAnn Larson, 77, Gary, MN, passed away Saturday, April 16, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family.
DeAnn Kay Grieve was born August 24, 1944, in Ada, MN, the daughter of Ervin and Helen (Manning) Grieve. She was baptized on October 22, 1944, and later confirmed at Green Meadow Church near Ada, MN. While attending high school, DeAnn played the drums in band and participated in the school play and debate. She graduated from Gary High School in 1962. DeAnn married her high school sweetheart, Michael “Mick” Larson, on November 7, 1964, at Green Meadow Church, only after Mick and the Pastor were able to shoot their deer that morning.
Over the next years, Mick and DeAnn lived in various places in the area before settling at the Larson Farm where they resided for 44 years. They had four children, Jeffrey, Kristi, Melissa, and Terry. During this time, DeAnn spent most of her time as a stay-at-home-mom/hunting widow. As their kids grew, DeAnn took on different jobs such as working at the Sandhill Supper Club, Tri-Valley, Fair Meadow Nursing Home, teaching Sunday School, and being a Luther League Leader, before moving on to probably her favorite job of her life: babysitting almost all her grandchildren. Some of DeAnn’s favorite past times were spent baking and canning. She was known for her amazing butter buns, chocolate cake, and jellies that she would gift to family and friends. In her younger years, she loved to go dancing with Mick, and later they enjoyed their time together 4-Wheeling. DeAnn also enjoyed gardening, sewing, and visiting with her sister Kitty. As a grandma, she was never too old to play PlayDoh, never too busy to take a walk down to the crick, and never got upset when the kids would “fall in”. Her pantry and freezer were always stocked with the best foods a kid could ever ask for homemade cookies, Fruity Pebbles, and freezies. Mick and DeAnn did their best to attend as many sports events, school plays, band and choir concerts, or Sunday School programs for all their grandchildren as possible. These things will forever be engrained in her grandchildren’s memories.
DeAnn always had a pot of fresh coffee ready for visitors, any time, any day, and loved to host family gatherings for the holidays. Their home was always open for family and friends who came to celebrate. DeAnn was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Michael Larson, a sister, Janice “Toots” Goff, a brother Jerry Grieve, and her parents. DeAnn is survived by her four children and their spouses. Jeffery (Roxanne) Larson, Warroad, MN, Kristi (Buck) Engen, of Gary, MN, Melissa (Tyler) Mosher, of Fertile, MN, and Terry (Caty) Larson, of Gary, MN, as well as 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She was also survived by her sister Kitty (Perry) Ellingson of Borup, brothers Danny (Jenny) Grieve, Glyndon, and Steve (DeeDe) Grieve of Gary, her aunt Gladys Klukas, and many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly, and visited often.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., with a prayer service starting at 7:00, at Anderson Family Funeral Home in Twin Valley, MN. A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at Gary Lutheran Church. A recording of the service will be available here on DeAnn’s page following the funeral.
