Anna Marie Larson

Anna Marie Larson, age 82, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at her home.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be at the Mound Cemetery in Ortonville.

The service will be live streamed, recorded and viewable below this obituary.

Anna Marie Larson was born on September 11, 1942, in Ortonville, Minnesota, to her loving parents Arloe and Inez (Stielow) Larson. She was baptized and later confirmed in her faith at Zion Lutheran Church. From a young age, she demonstrated a thirst for knowledge and a love for learning. She attended Country School #21 for her elementary education before moving on to Clinton Public School, where she graduated in 1960.

After high school, Anna Marie pursued her passion for education at St. Cloud State Teachers College. Her dedication and commitment to learning led her to not only earn a teaching degree but also a master’s degree in Special Learning Disabilities (SLD). With her qualifications, she embarked on a long and fulfilling career as an educator, teaching in various schools across Minnesota. Her impact as a teacher was felt by countless students, colleagues, and friends who remember her as not just a teacher but as a mentor and a guide.

Anna Marie had a curious spirit and a genuine love for exploring the world around her. She was always open to trying new experiences and adventures, never hesitating to step outside of her comfort zone. Her love of travel often took her to many destinations, and she made a special point of taking her mother along on road trips during school vacations. Her adventurous heart led her not only to new places but also to a deep dive into her family’s past. She spent countless hours researching and compiling her family’s history, weaving together the stories of generations and preserving them for the future.

Anna Marie’s life was a testament to the power of education, friendship, and family. She was not only a beloved sister to Arlene Wagner and Ruth Ann Nilson but also a cherished aunt to her six nieces and nephews, who were like children to her. Her influence extended to the next generations as well, with 11 great-nieces and nephews, and 9 great-great-nieces and nephews who all benefited from her wisdom, kindness, and the stories she shared.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Arloe and Inez Larson, her grandparents, and one dear niece, whose memory she held close to her heart.