Joan Larson
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joan (Joni) Marie (Erdahl) Larson, who peacefully joined the Lord on Sunday, April 14, 2024, after bravely fighting a long illness.
A memorial service/celebration of life will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Battle Creek, MI on Sunday July 21, 2024 at 4 p.m. EDT. With fellowship time to follow.
She will be laid to rest at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Audubon, beside her husband on Sat., May 25 at 2:00 p.m. A fellowship time after will be held at The Pirate’s Den in Verndale (her favorite Minnesota restaurant) from 4 to 7 p.m.
Joni was born in September of 1943 in Los Angeles, California and relocated to Fargo, ND shortly after her birth. She graduated from Oak Grove Lutheran School in 1961. In June of 1964, she married Bernie Larson and together they embarked on a life journey which led them to Battle Creek, Michigan in 1965. Over the course of 56 years, Joan was a devoted wife and mother, a retired secretary at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and a retired Pennfield High School sports volunteer. She was a familiar face to many in Battle Creek, known for her role as the ticket taker at various events spanning four decades and was a recent inductee into the Battle Creek Area Amateur Sports Association Wall of Fame.
In her free time, Joan enjoyed playing cards with her Bridge and Bunko groups, participating in Pinochle games with family and sharing meals with friends from church and the community. After facing unexpected health challenges, Joan moved to Staples to be cared for by her son, Cam and his family and most recently Lakewood Pines and Lakewood Health System Care Center. Despite the distance, she cherished the memories of her Battle Creek family and friends, but relished the opportunity to reconnect with relatives in Minnesota.
Joni’s passing marked the reunion of her and Bernie in Heaven, where they are joined by loved ones who have gone before them. Her family extends their gratitude to the Pennfield Panther community for their support over the years, and to the Battle Creek community for their care and friendship throughout the last six decades. PANTHER PRIDE!
Joni was preceded in death by her husband, Bernie Larson of Battle Creek, MI; parents, Sven and Ruth (King) Erdahl of Fargo, ND; mother and father-in-law Francis (Kohler) and Ingvald Bakken; one sister Gloria (Erdahl) and Herman Moeller of Detroit Lakes; one brother, Dr. Bruce Erdahl of Wadena and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Keith and Verna Larson of Hugo.
She is survived by her two sons, Christopher and Julie (Epstein) Larson of Mechanicsville, VA and Cameron and Trisha (Huseby) Larson of Staples; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Delbert and Luann (Palma) Larson of Moorhead; sister-in-law Barb (Larson) and Bruce Coufal of Frazee; sister-in-law Judy (Fransen) Erdahl of Wadena and many more nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to either: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 349 Capital Ave NE Battle Creek, MI 49017. Note: Heil Memorial Fund on behalf of Joan Larson; or Oak Grove Lutheran School Foundation; 124 N Terrace North, Fargo, ND 58102 ATTN: Matt Hallaway..
w19c A00006B2024MY01
