Viola Larson, one of God’s good and faithful servants, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 1, 2017, following complications from Pneumonia. Viola was 93 years old. On Thursday, February, 25, Viola played the piano for her final hymn sing at Heritage place in Cokato MN. Everyone so enjoyed her ministry of music and she always provided a full repertoire of favorite hymns. When she played the hymns everyone enjoyed singing along. She was a great fan of Fanny Crosby, the famous hymn writer and she featured Fanny’s songs in all of her mini concerts.
Viola was born to Joseph and Ruth Willett in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 11, 1924. She dedicated her life to her Lord’s work and at an early age set her goals to serve Him wherever he needed her. She graduated from St. Paul Bible Institute with a degree in Christian Ministry. She married Wallace Larson, whom she met at school. They married on May 30, 1945, in Sandstone, Minnesota and began a lifelong Christian ministry as pastor and wife to churches in Annandale, MN, Fairmont MN, Arthur, IA, Rapid City, SD, Rochester, MN, Clover, MN, and Albion, MN. Since her husband passed away in December, 1986, Viola has lived in the Annandale/Cokato area and is no doubt known by the entire community for dedicated church work, portrayal of “Mrs. Noah” and “Queen Esther” and her wonderful portrayal of the nice old lady who taught everyone about history at Pioneer Park in Annandale. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Ruth and Joseph Willett, her loving husband Rev. Wallace Larson, whom with she is now happily reunited. She is survived by her three children, Dr. David Larson, of Bennett, Co, Dean Larson, of Auburn, CA and Linnea Raasch of Dassel, MN. She has many grandchildren and great grandchildren spread out across the country who will miss her dearly. She was a wonderful example and inspiration to all her family.
Viola’s Celebration of Life will be held, Monday, March 6, 2017 at the Albion Evangelical Free Church, 11480 5th Street Northwest, Cokato, MN 55321. There will be a visitation at 1:00 pm with services to begin at 2:00 pm. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-286-2534