Mary Larson

Mary’s life was completed as she was surrounded by her loving family and departed for her heavenly mansion on Tuesday, July 20, 2010.

Mary was the oldest daughter born to Harry and Myrtle Hoyt in Oskaloosa, IA. Mary was 99 years and 2 months old and was born May 20, 1911.

She married Lewis J. Vander Kolk and from this marriage an only daughter was born. After WWII, Lewis and Mary divorced.

Mary worked many years for the State of Iowa, Pharmacy Department and has been retired over 30 years.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda J. (Jim) McPherson of Altoona, IA; granddaughters, Jill (Dane Miller) McPherson and Heidi (Shon) Zimmer; and four great-grandchildren. Other survivors include her sister, Bernice Skinner; a niece; a nephew; and other family members and beloved friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and long time companion, Dale C. Long.

Several years after Mary retired, she moved from her home in Des Moines to live at Heather Manor (now called Prime Towers). She enjoyed living there for 16 years before moving to The Shores at Pleasant Hill in December 2009 to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law.

The family will greet friends from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 24, 2010 to celebrate Mary’s life at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

She was a member of Staves Memorial United Methodist Church. Memorial gifts may be directed to the church at 2747 E. Madison Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317, Iowa Hospice, 5850 NW Johnston Drive, Suite E, Johnston, IA 50131, or The Shores, 1500 Edgewater Drive, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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