Obituary

Obituary
Elaine Larson, 95, of Rockford IL passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center. Born February 24, 1925 in Rockford, the daughter of Robert and Edith (Anderson) Freeman. She was a graduate of Rockford East High School in 1943 and SwedishAmerican Hospital School of Nursing in 1946. Elaine married Everett Larson on June 18, 1949 in Rockford. After receiving her RN, Elaine was employed at SwedishAmerican Hospital and in 1967, upon the opening of Fairhaven, she began her employment there as a night nurse. She continued her employment at Fairhaven until 1983 when she retired after serving as the Director of Nursing. Upon retirement she continued to pass along her love and knowledge of nursing as an Instructor at Rock Valley College teaching CNA classes for several years. Everett and Elaine enjoyed traveling to many countries and several states during their 53 years of marriage and spent many winters in Florida during their retirement. Elaine was a life-long member of First Evangelical Free Church where she was part of the Friendship Sunday School Class, Joy & Fairhaven Circles, Women’s Ministries and served as a Deaconess. Elaine was also involved in many roles as a volunteer at Fairhaven including serving her “famous” Swedish Puff Coffee Cake in the Coffee Shop the first Tuesday of every month!

Elaine is survived by her children Charlene (Brad) Carlson of Rockford, Cheryl (Steve) Carlson of Glendora, CA, and Gary (Linda) Larson of Rockford; grandchildren David Carlson, Karin (Jason) Glenn, Andy (Heather) Carlson, Meredith (Mike) Abe, Ingrid (Ryan) Kelsey, Wes (Faith) Carlson, Kathryn Hall, Bethany (fiancé Nick Braun) Larson & Ben (Hailey) Larson; great-grandchildren Emily & Jordan Glenn, Maya, Liam & Avery Carlson, Atlas, Gunnar & Wave Abe. Predeceased by parents, husband Everett in 2002 and daughter Sandra Hall in 2018.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at First Free Church, 2223 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford. A walk-through visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. Private burial in Scandinavian Cemetery where a private family service will be held. Memorials may be made to First Free Church, 2223 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61107 or Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center 3470 N. Alpine Rd., Rockford, IL 61114.