Anita D. Larsen

Anita Donice Larsen, of West Des Moines, Iowa passed away on May 28, 2016 at the age of 73. She was born December 29, 1942 in Hastings, Nebraska to Donald S. and Zelda L. (Witzke) Larsen. She attended Newell-Providence School and graduated in 1960. On August 25, 1963, she was married to Brian Gustafson. Anita graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree from Buena Vista College in 1967 and went on to graduate with a master's degree from Drake University while she taught English and speech at a local high school in Des Moines, Iowa. After graduation, she lectured at Drake University's theater and English departments.

From 1984 to 1992, Ms. Larsen taught at the Institute of Children's Literature. She wrote articles for Ranger Rick, Publisher's Weekly, Bookfinders, and Kirkus Reviews as well as a review column for The Des Moines Register. Anita was also an editor for Iowa State University Press, Wallace-Homestead Book Company, High Mountain Press, Greenhaven Books, Crestwood House, and more.

In addition to numerous magazine articles for adults and children, Anita Larsen has published seventeen books of fiction or fact for all readerships, writing as Anita Larsen, Anita Gustafson, and Dana White. Two of her books, Guilty or Innocent? (1986) and Some Feet Have Noses (1983), have been voted as American Library Association Notable Books. Some Feet Have Noses was also voted Outstanding Science Trade Book by the Children's Book Council and was a Junior Literary Guild selection.

She was juvenile books critic for the Sunday Des Moines Register for twenty years, writing a monthly column that also appeared in the Sunday arts editions of other major newspapers across the nation including The Seattle Times, Denver Post, Orlando Sentinel, San Antonio Express-News, and others.

Anita also taught on the university and secondary levels and served as an Artist-in-the-Classroom and a Solo Artist for the Iowa State Arts Council. In addition, she conducted writing workshops and was a frequent speaker in the area of children’s literature.

Her theatrical scripts for adults and children have been published, as well as produced at theaters like the American Shakespeare Theatre (Stratford, CT) and the Dallas Theater Center. She scripted projects in all media for Fortune 500 companies that ranged from marketing to employee recruitment, special events to corporate image and published educational programs for children and training programs for adults.

An award-winning stage actress, she worked successfully on camera and as voice talent for products, personages, and services for Girl Scouts of America, the former governor of Iowa, and others.

In addition to West Des Moines, Anita lived in several cities including Des Moines, Iowa; St. Paul, Minnesota; Albuquerque and Taos, New Mexico; and Laurens, Iowa. In her spare time she was an actress, writer, editor, playwright, and book critic. She also loved art, nature, wildlife, her family, and her dogs.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Zelda Larsen. She is survived by her sisters, Lois (Karl) Jirgens of Laurens, Ellen (David) Degner, Sr. of Newell, and several nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends.

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