High School sweethearts, they were married on June 25, 1952, in Elbow Lake, Minn. and lived there for their entire careers. They both retired in 1952. Who are they?
They are one of the most beautiful couples we know; GENE and MARILYN LARSON.
After graduating from Elbow Lake High School, Gene went into farming for thirty years. Marilyn attended Teacher's College, and taught for one year before her marriage and after. Not teaching for the next thirteen years, she busied her self raising four sons, Scott, Sterling, Portland and Stacy. For the next twenty eight years, Marilyn taught first and second grades in the Elbow Lake School System, just two blocks from home.
Eventually, Gene went to work for Agra Business, working in developing chemical fertilizer.
Upon retirement, the couple moved to Mesa, Arizona, where they purchased a house in Painted Mountain and lived there for some thirteen odd years. Marilyn sang in her church choir, where she met Lois Hopkins who lived in our complex. One night when Lois picked her up for choir practice she said, "If you ever decide to sell your house, come and visit the Village @ Apache Wells. It is a wonderful community, small, intimate and very friendly."
They did sell their house, and came to visit one Saturday morning. Entering the clubhouse they found Lyle and Reta Reed who were serving breakfast, and invited them to stay and eat. Of course they fell in love with the place. In about 2003 they rented an apartment on the third floor above Jim and Barb Erie. "Those years were good years," said Marilyn.
Being such outgoing and talented people, they made many friends. Marilyn has a beautiful singing voice, and so joined our Monday afternoon singing group, of which Lois Hopkins and Dorothy Aaser were our fearless leaders. This is when I first met Marilyn. I thought she was the prettiest lady --still do--with skin like ivory, and never a hair out of place. She was a real boost to our singing group . We went Christmas caroling, sang at various parties and wherever we could finagle an invitation to sing.
Gene was in charge of the pool for quite some time, and was always available to help anyone who needed a hand. After moving from their third floor apartment they moved into a ground floor place, #28. They joined the Apache Wells Community Church across the street, where Marilyn once again sang in the choir. They were both active in the Village community. It was at this time when I was Treasurer for the Ladies Social Committee that I began to mistrust myself with numbers, and asked Marilyn to take my place. She graciously accepted the job, and I was most grateful.
Around Thanksgiving time last year, Gene and Marilyn flew home and sold the furnished home which they had lived in for fifty years. They hope to go home in 2016 after Memorial Day, where they will move into a ground floor apartment, just a short distance from their original home. And listen to this girls. Marilyn will get all new furniture delivered at that time.
On January 25, this year, Marilyn suffered a severe aneurysm, and was taken to Banner Baywood Hospital. From there she was transferred to Banner University Samaritan Hospital where she underwent extensive surgery. Recovery was continued at Advanced Health Care of Mesa, on Main Street, where she tells of the wonderful care she received. She came home on April 18, with a Care Giver, Physical and Occupational Therapists, and a lot of courage.
Gene and Marilyn's son, Scott, an Industrial Engineer and his wife Kris live in Benson, Minn., have two children.
Sterling, an Electrical Engineer and his wife Debbie, an R.N., live in Alaska. They have four grown children.
Connor, is a Lawyers Investigator, and part time Uber driver. He and his wife live in Denver.
Stacy, also an Attorney, lives in Portland with his wife Davia and children.
Gene and Marilyn have eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Quips Marilyn, "They are all gainfully employed."
What more can we ask for this beautiful couple?