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| Name: |
Carol Lillian Larsen
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| Date: |
April 5th, 1923 - April 25th, 2009
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| Obituary: |
Carol Lillian Larsen, age 86, of Grand Haven, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, April 25, 2009 at her home.
She was born April 5, 1923 in Baltimore, but grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She attended the University of Michigan where she met her future husband, Otto “Bud” Larsen. After graduation, they married and moved to Grand Haven to start their family and run a local business, The Royal Dry Cleaners.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on June 12, 2009, at VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home in Grand Haven. A reception will immediately follow the service in the Family Center at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Lake Forest Cemetery next to her husband, son David, and her parents.
Carol was a life-long learner and traveler who loved to experience what the world could teach her. In 1966, she and her children moved to Spain for an intended one-year visit that turned into a 22-year adventure. There, Carol pursued her second love - writing. She completed three historical novels, a variety of other novels and short stories, and her most well known work, Your Donkey’s In My Garden! - a memoir of her life in Spain.
Karen, Susan and Robert will remember Carol as an extraordinary mother and role model who encouraged them to pursue their dreams through education and persistent hard work. “I don’t care what career you choose, as long as you love it!” was her often-heard advice. She taught them to be brave, thrifty and most importantly, to call and write their mother often.
Carol returned to Michigan in the 1980’s to care for her mother, Lillian, and rekindled her friendship with her circle of Grand Haven friends, especially Mrs. Dorothy Klintworth and Mrs. Betty Ponstein. The three of them delighted in each other’s company and sense of humor, and when they got together the room would echo with their laughter. Carol’s sister Lois was very dear to her, and the two of them hosted an extended family reunion in Grand Haven three summers ago.
Carol was proud that Karen, Susan and Robert all graduated from the University of Michigan, and was looking forward to seeing which of her grandchildren would continue what is now a family tradition. A huge regret is that she left before this could become a reality. The U of M football season will not be the same without her.
Survivors include her children, Karen Cafmeyer, Susan (Duane Kujala) Larsen and Robert Larsen; her grandchildren, Laura and Eric Cafmeyer, Dana Kujala, Kelsey and Andrew Larsen; her sister Lois Cothran Wolsch of Connecticut, also numerous nieces and nephews and their families.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Otto, her son David, her cousin Joan Inman and her parents, Lillian and Andrew Cothran.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Carol’s memory to Heritage Homes, Inc., 400 -136th Bldg 200, Ste. 205, Holland, MI (616) 395-9311, ext. 104.
Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
The family is being served by VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home of Grand Haven.
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| Memorials: |
Heritage Homes, Inc., 400 - 136th, Bldg. 200, Ste. 205, Holland, MI 49424
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| Cemetery: |
Lake Forest Cemetery
1304 Lake Ave.
Grand Haven, MI 49417 (map/driving directions)
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| Visitations: |
2:30PM to 4:00PM on Friday, June 12th, 2009 at Grand Haven Chapel (map/driving directions)
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| Services: |
2:00PM at VBK Grand Haven Chapel on Friday, June 12th, 2009 (map/driving directions)
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