Ila Mae Larsen

Funeral service for Ila Mae Larsen, 88, of Biwabik, will be 1:30pm Monday, April 1, 2013 at Community United Church of Christ in Biwabik with Rev. Rodney Slessor officiating. There will be no visitation prior to the service. Burial will take place in the Greenwood Cemetery in Superior, Wisconsin. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert, MN. Ila passed away peacefully surrounded by family Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Essentia Health - Northern Pines Medical Center in Aurora, MN. Ila was born on July 18, 1924 in Superior, WI to Louie P. and Ida A. (Marohn) Larsen. After graduating from Superior High School, she enrolled in the nursing program at St. Luke's in Duluth. There, she met Siiri Thompson, who became a friend and colleague. Ila became a registered nurse and worked for the next 20 years at the tuberculosis sanitarium in Glen Lake, along with Siiri. At age 38 Ila decided to change career paths and enrolled in the University in Superior to earn a teaching certificate. Her friend, Siiri, who also earned a teaching certificate, found work at the school in Gilbert. Siiri encouraged Ila to come to the Iron Range where Ila became a teacher in Virginia for the next twenty-some years. Ila also earned her Masters Degree in education. During summer vacations, Ila and Siiri went on many trips across America, Canada and even Cuba. Their last trip was to Finland to visit Siiri's relatives. Ila retired from teaching and moved to Biwabik where Siiri had retired at the family house. She was able to stay in the house the rest of her life. Ila was active at the United Church of Christ in Biwabik where she sang in the choir, delivered meals-on-wheels and helped make countless pasties. Ila enjoyed gardening, literature, poetry, fishing, travel, playing cards and charity work. Survivors include her brother, Gerald (Mary Ann) Larsen of Frederic, WI; nieces and nephews: Kris (Holly) Larsen of Spooner, WI, Siiri (John) Larkin of St. Paul, Brenda Gellis of Dallas, TX, Karin (Patrick) LaCasse of St. Paul and Suzie Cherry of Phoenix, AZ; Siiri Thompson of Biwabik; several great nieces and great nephews. Ila will be missed by all the people whose lives she touched. She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Delores Larsen; half-brother, James Fielding; niece, Sherry