Opal E.ster Larson

Opal Ester Larson, 95, of Red Wing, died Sunday, January 17, 2010 at St. Brigid's at Hi-Park. She was born May 16, 1914 in Manchester, Iowa to Don and Pearl (Rowley) Pilgrim. She moved with her parents to Ladysmith, Wisconsin, where she graduated from high school and then attended Normal County Teacher's School. She moved to Madison and on August 13, 1941, she married Arthur Larson. They continued to live in Madison where, following several jobs, she was employed for many years in the biochemistry department of the University of Wisconsin as a laboratory manager. Arthur passed away in 1991. She moved to Red Wing in 1996. She was a member of United Lutheran Church and had done volunteer work with the Girls Scouts and the American Cancer Society. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading and needlework.

She is survived by one daughter, Elaine (James) Eng of Red Wing; one grandson, Pete Eng of Clear Lake, South Dakota; one granddaughter, Alison (Christopher) Steinbeck of Elko-New Market, MN; 6 great-grandchildren, Dalton, Kaden, Logan and Camron Eng and Carter and Alexis Steinbeck; three brothers, Owen (Mary) Pilgrim of Winter Haven, FL, Cecil Pilgrim of Cambridge, MN and Dean Pilgrim of Hillsdale, MI; one sister, Gehl Barton of Martinez, GA and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her husband, three brothers and one sister.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel with Reverend Steve Timm officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Committal service will be 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 at the Roselawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Madison, Wisconsin. Memorials preferred to United Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.