Josephine Mary (Vaughan) Larsen

Josephine Mary (Vaughan) Larsen, 80, passed away on January 28, 2019 from complications due to dementia. Her husband of 61 years and her five daughters surrounded her in love when she went to be with the Lord.

She was born on August 1, 1938 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Leo & Mary Vaughan. She was the fourth oldest of eighteen children. She loved her brothers and sisters and was extremely proud to be Irish.

Known to many as Mamma Jo, Dokie or Hammie, she was an amazing soul and blessed the lives of everyone who knew her. She met the love of her life, Bob, after taking her brother’s borrowed Corvette to a filling station where he had just happened to work. On their first date, Jo knew that she was going to marry him - especially after having dinner with Bob’s parents. She thought they were rich because they had real butter! Bob and Jo were married on January 11, 1958. They had five daughters and made a wonderful life together with an amazing legacy of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved their “Hammie.” Her family was EVERYTHING to her. Jo and Bob celebrated their 61st Anniversary three weeks ago on January 11th.

While raising her five children, she bartended at the Embassy Suites for over 21 years, until a stroke forced her into retirement in 2013. She was famous for her quick wit and ability to teach anyone to bartend. She will forever be known for her love of family and her undying compassion for everyone. She believed in and lived by the Golden Rule - “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

She leaves a legacy for all of us to follow. LIVE like Hammie, but more importantly LOVE like Hammie. Love each other with all of your heart, do things for each other without expecting anything back, forgive each other, and be kind to one another. That’s how Hammie lived her life.

Josephine is survived by her husband Robert (Bob) Larsen, daughters Mary (Al) Novacek, Kelly Simmer, Karen Nerem, Laura (Pat) Lister, and Bobbi Jo (Zac) Dorr, 17 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 12 brothers and sisters.

Welcoming her into paradise are her parents, Leo and Mary Vaughan, her stepmother Dorothy Vaughan, her brothers Emmett and Tom, her sisters Moria, Bridget and Teddy, her in-laws, Herb & June Larsen and sister-in-law Sandra Larsen and her son-in-law, Bob Simmer.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 1st from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with rosary to follow at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5711 SW 9th Street. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 2nd at 11 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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