Delores Louise Larson, 92, of Holdrege, formerly of Loomis, passed away Nov. 20, 2017, at Holdrege Memorial Homes.
Delores was born on May 14, 1925, on the family farm northeast of Bertrand in Phelps County, the only child of Carl and Ethel (Lundberg) Hultman. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Bertrand High School with the class of 1943. That same year, she began working at the First State Bank in Loomis. During her early years at the bank, she lived in several apartments in Loomis. On weekends, however, she took the train back to Bertrand to stay with her parents. Delores remained at the bank for 35 years before retiring in 1978.
On March 5, 1949, she was united in marriage to Elliott Larson, and to this union three children were born, Paula, Mark and Craig. The couple made their home in Loomis. In the 1960s and ’70s, she was very active with the March of Dimes fundraising campaigns, as well as membership drives for the Holdrege Community Concert. On Saturday nights, you’d often find Delores and Elliott at the Elks Club. Throughout the years, she was also active with the BPO Does.
Delores was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bertrand and enjoyed hosting and attending Circle. After retiring from the bank, Delores enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and she loved to travel.
She earned the nickname “Grandma Dee,” as she loved not only entertaining her own grandchildren but was also a surrogate grandmother to others. She was a faithful visitor to hospitals and nursing homes, and loved sending cards and gifts for any and all occasions.
Following the passing of her husband Elliott in 1986, she kept busy traveling. Delores enjoyed the drive to Iowa each fall to visit her cousins and loved taking bus trips to Branson, Omaha and Kansas City to see shows. A highlight of her life was in 1992, when she made her second trip to Sweden to visit relatives.
In 2001, Delores suffered a stroke and began to make her home at Holdrege Memorial Homes. For many years, she remained very active and enjoyed taking day trips to have lunch with friends.
Besides her husband Elliott and her parents, she was preceded in death by six brothers-in-law, Clifton (Gladys) Larson, Ralph Larson, Raymond Larson, Roland (Mary) Larson, Elton (Mavis) Larson and Warren (Lois) Larson.
Delores leaves to celebrate her life her three children Paula (Ward) Peterson of Kearney, Mark (Lynn) Larson of North Platte and Craig Larson of Scottsbluff; four grandchildren, Brooke (Matt) Larson of Lincoln, Alison (Seth) Svoboda of Peoria, Arizona, Lucas (Haley) Larson of Waverly and Alyssa (fiancé Justin Graham) Larson of Omaha; seven great-grandchildren, Soren and Vic Svoboda, Collins and Rowan Larson, Paetyn and Owen Larson, and Ayla Graham; and a host of cousins, which includes several first and second cousins in Sweden.
A memorial has been established for later designation. Online condolences may be shared at nelsonbauerfh.com.
Services will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bertrand with Pastor Matthew Hacker officiating. Inurnment will be at 12:30 p.m. prior to the services at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery north of Bertrand. The memorial book may be signed from 4-8 p.m., with the family from 6-7:30 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 27, at Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home, Holdrege, which is in charge of arrangements.