Aralda R. Larson

Aralda Rose (Thayer) Larson, 87, a longtime resident of Amherst, WI, died July 3, 2016. She was born in Eau Claire, WI on January 29, 1929 to Aralda (Kamke) and David Thayer. She grew up in Neillsville, WI, where her family owned a photography business. Aralda graduated as salutatorian of her class from Neillsville High School in 1947. Aralda always loved a good plot and it showed in her love of theater, forensics and reading. Her parents moved with her to River Falls, WI when she entered the State Teachers College there. While attending college, she met her future husband, Charles Larson, when by chance he selected her shoe out of many at the college mixer. Aralda graduated with a degree in English Education and a minor in Library Science in 1951 and went on to teach English in Glenwood City and Benton, WI. Aralda and Charles were united in marriage on June 6, 1953. They started their life together in Cuba City, WI before moving to Waupaca in 1968 and Amherst in 1979. Together they raised five children, instilling in them the value of education, hard work, kindness, and the love of good storytelling. When she wasn’t wrangling children or supporting Charles’ FFA activities, Aralda had a quick wit, enjoyed listening to music, especially from the Big Band era, and cheering on her Milwaukee Brewers. She was known for her skills in the kitchen always ensuring a full jar of cookies, a counter full of pies, and a pantry full of the year’s harvest. She and Charles operated National Farm Book Company, an agricultural textbook supplier, for 19 years. Aralda is survived by her husband of 63 years, Charles of Amherst; daughter, Aralda Ann (Brion) Bell of Waupaca; son, Jeffers (Eileen Nyholt) Larson of Waupaca; son, David (Julie Eiden) Larson of Waupaca; son, Paul (Fonda) Larson, Appleton; daughter, Catherine (Gregory) Leaf of Hudson; five grandsons, Robin Larson, Stevens Point; Charlie Larson, Waupaca; Spencer Larson, Eau Claire; Connor Larson, Madison; and Jackson Leaf, Hudson; two granddaughters, Kathryn Larson, Sturgeon Bay, and Claire Larson, Stevens Point. She is preceded in death by her parents and an infant son, Eric Miles Larson. A Memorial Visitation will be on Friday, July 8, 2016 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at the Jungers-Holly Funeral Home in Amherst. A Private Family Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Sheridan Village Cemetery in the Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. The Jungers-Holly Funeral Home of Amherst is assisting the family with arrangements. The family would like to thank the staff at Waupaca Elder Care for their kindness and care of Aralda over the past eight years. Thank you also to the ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca staff for their compassionate care during Aralda’s last days. Mom, we want you to know we will “see you later alligator.”

Aralda R. Larson

January 29, 1929 - July 3, 2016