Elizabeth Hildegard Larson, 96, Minot and formerly of Ryder died on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 in her home.

Elizabeth was born on March 23, 1913 in St. Leo. MN to Jacob and Josephine (Baierl) Petz. She was reared on a farm southwest of Ryder and attended rural Blue Hill and Hiddenwood schools. As a young adult she was employed in many households in the Ryder-Makoti area.

Elizabeth married Arnold Larson on September 3, 1936 in Bismarck. They made their home on the Larson family farm in Gate Township of McLean County in the Hiddenwood Lake area south of Ryder. They were the proud parents of ten children and raised small grains and livestock. They retired in 1996 and moved to Minot in November of 1997 where they resided with their daughter and son-in-law Linda and David Jacobson. Arnold died on January 5, 2000. Elizabeth had continued to reside with her daughter's family in Minot until the time of her death.

Elizabeth was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church - Minot and was a former member of the St. Charles Catholic Church and its Altar Society in Ryder. Also, she was a member of the Hiddenwood Old Settlers Association and the American Legion Auxiliary in Velva for twenty-eight years. She especially enjoyed reading, playing cards and visiting with her many friends and family.

Elizabeth's loving family includes her daughters: Eileen Ehlert of Renton, WA, Joan (John) Christensen of Las Vegas, NV, Sylvia Thompson of Wimberley, TX, Linda (David) Jacobson of Minot and Nancy Larson of Albuquerque, NM; sons: Richard Larson and Byron (Donna) Larson both of Ryder, Ronald L. (Karen) Larson of Garrison and Micheal Larson of Minot; daughter-in-law: Lois Larson of Velva and Sharleen Larson of Minot; 27 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; sisters: Katherine Anderson of Garrison, Susan Whitethorn of St. Paul, MN, and Hildegard (Lloyd) Davis of St. Paul, MN; sister-in-law: Elvera Petz of Ryder and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son: Eugene, daughters-in-law: Judy Larson and Sandra Larson; sons-in-law: Pat Thompson and Donald Ehlert; sister: Lenora Rensch; brothers: Joseph, Jacob, Leo, Henry, Lawrence and Jerome.

Visitation: Sunday from noon until 4:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in St. John the Apostle Catholic Church - Minot.
Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, December 7, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in St. John the Apostle Catholic Church - Minot.
Graveside Service: Monday at 2:30 p.m. in the Ryder Community Cemetery.
Memorials are preferred to Hiddenwood Old Settlers Association or Ryder Cemetery Fund.