Neva Larson

Neva Mae (Killmer) Larson, 86 of Sioux Falls returned to her heavenly home on November 12 at Avantara Care Home after a valiant battle with a long illness. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, November 16, 2019 at Messiah New Hope Lutheran Churchin Sioux Falls with the Pastor Eric Ohrtman officiating. Burial will follow a few hours later at Clark Center Cemetery near Clark, SD. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM Friday, November 15, 2019 at the church. Arrangements by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.

Neva Mae Larson, child of God, was born in Clark County on her parent’s farm SE of Clark, on April 7, 1933, to Leo and Gertie (Thompson) Killmer, the youngest of three sisters. She was baptized and confirmed at Good Hope Lutheran Church, near Willow Lake.

When Neva was 6 months old her family moved to Camp #3 near Shelton, Washington where her dad was a logger.  Many members of her extended family also had moved to Washington due to the depression.  At five, Neva’s family returned to the SD farm in 1938 after her father was injured.  She received her early education in the country school across the road.

She helped her dad farm, often riding on the plow and cultivator.

During thrashing she and her mother would help shock the bundles and deal with the critters.  “Mice would run out when we picked up a shock to stack and I would scream!  Several times I was thrown off the stone boat when the horses would start to run.”

Due to a corn-picking incident that led to the loss of her dad’s leg, the farm was sold in 1947 and they moved to Clark. Her life was filled with music through singing and trumpet playing in the band.

A romantic spark was struck with a handsome young man during the combined 8 ^th grade confirmation class.  That interest developed into the love of a life time.  Shortly after high school graduation, she was united in marriage to Donald Eugene Larson on June 10, 1951 at her parents’ home in Clark.  They have celebrated 68+ years together which included much adventure as well as the ups and downs of an active life.  Faith, family and friends became their life story as they were blessed with four children and their families that followed.  Prior to her illness, Mrs. Larson was an active member of Messiah New Hope Lutheran Church.

Side by side, theirs was actually a horse and carriage relationship!

As one reporter wrote on the1989 SD Centennial wagon route,

“Andy and Pam are a team.  So are Don and Neva.  While Andy and Pam are a pair of draft horses, Don and Neva are the Larsons of Sioux Falls.  Directing Andy and Pam was Don; directing Don was Neva.”

Also written about Grandma Neva at the same time;

“Grandma’s job was the provision of good meals, a comfortable resting place, making and breaking camp and transporting supplies and accommodations.

Perhaps Grandpa Don’s greatest asset is his wisdom in the selection of a mate.  ‘Grandma’ Neva, as she is affectionately called, is a wonderful woman.  She is compassionate, warm, loving and especially easy to talk to…and makes you feel very much at home…  Grandma is the epitome of the saying, ‘Behind every good man there is a good woman.’ ” She championed her husband as she cared for family and supported his work in Clark, Raymond, Gettysburg, and Sioux Falls.

When first married, Neva ran “The Snack Shop”.  This led to her “servant heart of hospitality” that went from her food prep on trail rides (fed 100 kids out of the back end of a horse trailer) to her kindness to those who stopped by their home.  (We can’t forget the lefse or chocolate cakes.)  Card playing and dancing were favorites for decades.  They could regularly be found together, gliding seamlessly around the dance floor whenever the opportunity arose. Neva liked crocheting and was a talented seamstress crafting clothes for her children and patching countless holes in jeans. She sold Avon, Stanley, and Mary Kay products over the years.  Later she even took up painting.  Her beautiful artwork graces the homes of her family and friends.  She and Donnie loved to travel, wintering in Apache Junction, AZ for several years with family and friends.

Grateful for having shared her life, survivors include her kindhearted husband, Don; her children, Marvene (David) Evenson, Omaha, NE; Steven (Sharon) Larson, Crooks, SD; Timothy (Pam) Larson, Sioux Falls; and Brian (Kim) Larson, Canton, SD; Her grandchildren,Chad Larson, Chris (Heather) Evenson, Simone (Matt) Weber, Aaron Christianson, Chad (Candace) Smith, Micah (Joni) Larson, Jacob Larson, Casey (Casey Lynn) Larson, Cory (Katie) Larson; Her great grandchildren Moriah, Nathaniel, Braeden, Hope, Alexandra, Cheyenne, Harley, Cole, and Wyatt as well as many nieces, nephews, grands and greats.  She was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Ann, born at rest; her parents; two sisters Lorene Steen and LaVonne Larson; one sister-in-love Phyllis Larson; three brothers-in-love Helmer Steen, Gordon Larson, Dale Larson; one niece Betty Palmer; two nephews Jim Palmer, Jarett Larson.

The family kindly asks that memorials be directed to Clark Center Cemetery Fund, Messiah New Hope Lutheran Church, or McCrossan Boys Ranch Hitch Fund.