Iola L. Larson

Iola "Dilly" Lenore Larson, age 99, of Grafton, passed away at home on Saturday, November 23, 2013 after a short time in Hospice Care. She was born on October 12, 1914, in Redfield, S.D. to Robert and Minnie Pearl (Havens) Dillworth. At the age of four her family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, and at the age of 16, she and her mother accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior at the Seventh Day Adventist Church their family attended. This decision marked the beginning of a strong faith in God that set the direction and course of Iola's entire life. After graduating from high school, Iola sold items door-to-door to earn money for college, pulling a wagon up and down the streets. She left Nebraska in 1934 to attend college at the Chicago Evangelistic Institute, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Sacred Literature in 1939. Following graduation, she worked in a Children's Home in Everett, Washington for one year and became engaged to fellow C.E.I. student, Ernest M. Larson, from Park River, ND. They were married in Chicago on August 22, 1940 where Ernest taught piano. In the fall of 1941, the newlyweds moved back to the Olaf Larson family farm in rural Park River. Ernie gave his wife her nickname of "Dilly" when his family kept getting Iola's name mixed up with the name of Ernie's sister, Viola. "Let's just call you Dilly," he said, and the name stuck. Their first child, Cathie, was born at this Happy Home Farm in 1942. Next they moved to their own place at the Campbell farm and later to the Widme farm where both Randy and Nedra were born in 1945 and 1947 respectively. In 1948 Dilly and Ernest moved to a farm in rural Grafton and attended the United Methodist Church of Hoople where Ernie was organist. In 1949 they joined the Federated Church in Grafton where they attended for the next 23 years. Ernie again was the organist and Dilly taught Sunday School and DVBS. Their fourth and last child, Cyndee, was born in 1950. In 1957 Dilly began working at what was formerly called the State School for the Mentally Retarded, first in the Sunset Building and later in the North B building. After taking some time off to care for her bed-ridden father-in-law, Olaf Larson, Dilly returned to the State School, retiring in February 1972, completing a total of 24 years as an employee. In August of 1972 the couple spent one year in Minneapolis, Minnesota before returning for a brief time to their Grafton farm in 1973. In June of 1974 the couple made a permanent move to Minneapolis beginning a whole new chapter in their lives. They built their dream home in 1977, complete with an in-house piano teaching studio for Ernie. Dilly worked at several different jobs for the next 14 years, including the Sharpies Coat Factory and the 3M Company. Ernie passed away from a heart attack in 1980 after 39 ½ yrs. of marriage. Dilly continued to live and work in Minneapolis until 1988 when she moved back to her farm in rural Grafton at the age of 73. Finally retired, some of her joys in life were weeding the tree rows, gardening, working in her many flower beds, going for long walks on County Road 6, embroidering, attending Bible Study, andwe mustn't forgetclimbing trees! She attended Bethel Free Lutheran Church from 1998 to 2005, where she became known as the "Amen" lady. Currently she was a member of the Grafton Assembly of God Church. With her children and grandchildren spread across the globe, Dilly loved to travel, not missing any of her grandchildren's weddings. She visited her two missionary daughters and their families in Brazil, making six trips between 1972 and 2005. She also loved spending time with her son and family in New York, endearing herself to the members of the church he pastors. In later years she enjoyed many winters in Florida with her daughter, Cathie, who retired from Brazil in 1992. Dilly loved nature: flowers, trees, leaves, rocks, and shells. She enjoyed sewing, scrapbooking, puzzles, reading, playing the piano, cats, and collecting dolls, dishes, and stuffed animals. Her pies and sticky buns were family favorites. She is most remembered for her faith in God and her sweet spirit and all- encompassing love for everyone. No one was a stranger to her. She lived for her family, now numbering 63 people. Her many prayers of intercession for each one will truly be missed. Dilly is survived by her four children: Cathie (Arlin) Harder, Miami, Florida; Randy (Pat) Larson, Long Island, NY; Nedra (Pat) Dugan, Sao Leopoldo, Brazil; and Cyndee (Larry) Ditzer, Grafton; 13 grandchildren and their spouses, 29 great-grandchildren, one brother, Tom Dillworth of Ohio, and many nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, John, Paul, Robert and Harvey, and her 14-year- old granddaughter, Wendi Larson. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, at 10:30 am at the Grafton Assembly of God Church. Visitation is Tuesday from 5-7 pm with a family service at 7 pm at the Assembly of God Church, 1593 Griggs Ave. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River.