PATRICIA CLAIRE (McMANAMA) LARSON

Obituary for Patsy Larson

Patricia Claire Larson, 88, was born to John Wesley and Elda Bernice (Wright) McManama on June 20, 1929 in Potlatch, Idaho.  She was the second of two children, raised on farms on Deep Creek and Rock Creek.  She attended Burden and Rock Creek country grade schools, and graduated from Potlatch High School in 1947.

Patsy and Ed Larson eloped on June 20, 1947 and were parents of eight sons and two daughters.  She enjoyed working with children, as a 4-H leader and as a school volunteer.  For a while, Patsy had a small business raising and selling Holstein calves she bought from a local dairy.  She loved to travel, had a large garden, and sewed.  She was a logger’s wife, living in a logging camp in their early years of marriage, and later took an active role on their small farm.  She was a member of Grange, the Rock Creek Lady’s Club, and Card Club.

Above all, Patsy loved her family.   She will be remembered for her never-ending supply of love, support and fun in living her life to the fullest.  The grandkids all remember the great parties she had for assorted holidays in her home, complete with games, decorations, piñatas and costumes.  She taught her kids where to pick the best wildflowers, and enjoyed time spent outdoors.  Her house frequently contained orphaned baby animals or calves needing a warm spot to recover behind the wood stove.  The community will remember all the floats she created with her grandchildren for the annual Potlatch Days Parade, proudly displaying the awards on her piano.

She left a legacy and was an inspiration to her family and friends.  She will be sorely missed by all.

Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, two infant sons, Philip E. and John W. Larson, and her husband of 59 years, Edwin Larson.  She is survived by sons Francis (Wilmalee) Larson of Potlatch; Chris (Gayle) Larson of St. Maries; Duane (Connie) Larson of Potlatch; Jim (Antoinette) Larson of Potlatch; Karl (Laurie) Larson of Potlatch; Matt (Joleen) Larson of Potlatch; daughters Jenny (Bill) Warner of Potlatch and Anne (Ramiro) Garcia of Potlatch.  She is also survived by 34 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.

Please wear bright attire to her Celebration of Life Service to be held at 1:30 pm Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Grace Community Presbyterian Church in Potlatch. 

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Patsy Larson to the Potlatch Ambulance Fund.

Kramer Funeral Home, Palouse, WA is caring for the family.  You are invited to leave online condolences and order flowers for the family at www.kramercares.com

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