Ora A. Larson

Mrs. Ora Larson of Park River, North Dakota, passed away peacefully at Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, North Dakota on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Ora Amata Bodahl was born in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, on December 5th, 1918, the eldest daughter of Darwin and Alma (Flaten) Bodahl. Three years after graduating as valedictorian of East Grand Forks High School, Ora married Gordon Larson on August 1, 1939 in East Grand Forks, Minnesota and the same year moved to the community of Park River to start Gordon's 40 year career in banking. The couple celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary shortly before Gordon's death in 1989. Ora belonged to the Federated Church of Park River for more than seventy years, and was a member of several church organizations and women's clubs. She is survived by four children and their spouses: David (Marilyn) Larson of Conway, Arkansas; John (Carol) Larson of Anchorage, Alaska; Julie (Dwight) Johnson of Rugby; and Daryl (Nancy) Larson of Park River. She is also survived by her two sisters Carol Parke of St. Paul, Minnesota; Joan Fail of Mohave Valley, Arizona; and sister-in-law Sylvia Bodahl of Grand Forks. Ora is also survived by her eight grandchildren, their spouses and partners and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and bother Jerome. Ora was a wonderful mother: nothing better and nothing more needs be said. Mom, Grandma, (Great) Grandma. Ora-we already miss you. God's speed. Memorial services will be held at the Federated Church in Park River on Wednesday, March 21st at 11:00 AM. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service. No flowers please. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to local needs within the community of Park River in which she lived, loved and enjoyed so much.