Mary M. Larson, 89

Mary Marie Acker Larson, 89, passed away peacefully Friday, May 16, 2014, at her home in Freeport, IL, surrounded by her family, following a brief illness with stomach cancer on. Mary was born September 28, 1924, to George Thomas and Dorothy (Sage) Acker in her Grandmother Acker’s home on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in Dupree, SD. Mary graduated from Eagle Butte High School and Dunwoody Institute. She was married to Martin Renard “Renny” Larson April 25, 1944, in Minneapolis, MN. Mary worked at Westinghouse at Port Davis, RI and in a lemon factory and did inventory at Port Hueneme, CA. They bought property on Lake Union, South Haven, MN, built three cabins, ran a small resort during the summers, and for the last 17 years the cabin has been her summer home. They owned and operated the Bowlitorium Bar & Grill for 13 years in Kenyon, MN, and Basten Beverage in Freeport for five years. Mary was a member of the Kenyon VFW, the Elks and Moose Auxiliaries, Freeport’s Historical Society, Art Museum, and Civic Garden Club. She was a faithful member of Grace Episcopal Church, Freeport, IL and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Annandale, MN. She loved to support her growing family, play cards, bowl, and travel. Mary was exceptionally proud of her Sioux heritage and enjoyed sharing her history. Mary was a true Lakota Woman in her loving and caring ways with family and friends. She was dearly loved and will be profoundly missed by her children, Donna (Dennis) Kersten, Dysart, IA, Susan (Gary) Nelson, St. Charles, MN, Scott (Nancy) Larson, Freeport, IL, Tom (Laurie) Larson, Las Vegas, NV; 11 grandchildren and their spouses; 20 great-grandchildren who call her Unci (grandma in Lakota); nephew, Alan Helm; niece, Connie Helm; three great- nephews; and good friend, Krys Larson. She was preceded in death by her mother; father; husband; sister, Peggy; and sister-in-law, Eleanor. Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at Grace Episcopal Church, 10 South Cherry Avenue, Freeport, IL. Celebration and a sharing of memories will be held after the service in the undercroft of the church. Interment will be held at a later date in Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Grace Episcopal Church or a charity of your choice. Please sign the guestbook and share a memory at www.burketubbs.com.