Karla Gay Larson, 58, Minot, died Tuesday, November 17, 2015 in a Minot Hospital after a courageous battle with cervical cancer.

Karla was born October 3, 1957 in Minot, North Dakota the daughter of Erwin and Beatrice (Kline) Larson. She was raised and educated in Minot, graduating from Minot High School in 1975 and Minot State College in 1987 with a degree in Education and Physical Education. She worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor at Roosevelt Park. Her career included working for Dakota Boys Ranch in Minot, UNITA County Rehab in Wyoming and Montana State Hospital. Karla was a passionate volunteer for Special Olympics.

She was united in marriage to Marlon Scarbro in 2006. They made their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Butte, Montana prior to his death in 2010. Following her cancer diagnosis, she moved to Billings, Montana to be closer to her daughter and home to Minot in March of this year to live with her son. Previous to her marriage to Marlon, she was once married to James Pross and Todd Harkness.

Karla was artistic and a sports enthusiast, enjoying softball, swimming and volleyball. She loved people and was often seen befriending a perfect stranger. Her fun loving free spirit, big laugh and great story telling will be missed by all who knew her. May her loving spirit continue on in all who knew and loved her.

Her loving family includes : children, Christopher Erwin Pross and his friend, Kayla Aberle, Minot; Jesse Jeane Harkness and her partner, Kenan Lausch, Billings, MT; sister, Lynn (Philip) Smith, Youngstown, OH; niece, Leslie (Andrew) Prusinski; nephew, Brad Smith and great niece, Madalyn Smith.

Karla was preceded in death by her parents, son, Patrick James Pross, husband, Marlon and brother, Donald James Larson.

Celebration of Karla's Life : Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Visitation : There will not be a reviewal, however friends may sign the register book on Friday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the family.