Marion Larsen

Marion Larsen, age 97, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Friday, June 23, 2023, at Fairway View Neighborhoods.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00p.m. at the church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Pastor Janet Tengbom-Warnes will officiate, and inurnment will be at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville.

The service will be live streamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Marion Lavarn (Olson) Larsen and her twin sister, Marjorie, were born on November 15, 1925, in Browns Valley, MN, to Martin and Hannah (Jenson) Olson. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith and was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church for many years. Marion graduated from Browns Valley High School with the Class of 1944.

On September 23, 1944, Marion was united in marriage with Reuben Richard Larsen. To this union, seven children were born: Diane, Trudy, John, Karen, Lori, Richard, and Todd. Reuben and Marion raised their family on a dairy farm in Big Stone County, MN, before moving to rural Big Stone City, SD.

In 1972, Marion and Reuben purchased the Cottage Inn Café in Big Stone City. One could find her there 13 days out of 14, cooking for the enjoyment of her customers. Marion was famous for her breakfasts, caramel rolls, pancakes, and egg coffee. She also made pretty good pie and her gravy wasn’t bad either!

Marion and her sister, Marjorie, became celebrities when their businesses were featured on the program, “On the Road with Jason Davis”. She really enjoyed the people who would stop at the café because they had seen the program.

Through the years of owning her business, she developed a multitude of friends. When Marion moved to Fairway View Catered Living, she met many new friends and fellow card players. She enjoyed dancing, card playing, visiting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, traveling, garage sales, and collecting antiques. Marion even let her kids drag her to the casino a time or two!

Left to cherish Marion’s memory are her children: Diane Reding of Marengo, IL; Trudy (Dale) Martig of Clinton, MN; Karen Kerrick (Mike Orth) of Ham Lake, MN; Lori (Kevin) Bogenreif of Chanhassen, MN; and Todd (Deanna) Larsen of Dayton, MN; grandchildren: Jared Martig, Megan (Casey) Namken, Johnny (Holly) Larsen, Brandon (Kenzie) Kerrick, Joshua Kerrick, Nicole Bogenreif, Brianna Bogenreif, Katie Bogenreif, Madi Bogenreif, Hannah (Michael) Flesch, Michaela Larsen, Lauren Larsen, Brittany Larsen, and Jacob Larsen; 11 great-grandchildren; her special friend who was like a daughter, Pat Stenzel; along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Reuben; sons: John and Richard Larsen; her parents, her twin sister, Marjorie (Buzz) Lantis; brothers: Ralph (Doris) Olson, and Carroll (Doris) Olson; son-in-law, Don Reding; and nieces and nephews.

“We will miss her dearly, but our wonderful memories will keep her alive in our hearts. We love you, Mom.”

Marion loved getting hugs, so hug someone today in her memory.

Memorials are preferred to the Zion Lutheran Church air conditioning fund.