MATHILDA "TILLIE" LARSON

Mathilda “Tillie” Larson, 96 of Devils Lake formerly of Webster, ND passed away early Monday morning, April 16, 2012 at Heartland Care Center in the care of Mercy Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial for Tillie will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Fr. Charles Leute OP celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Tillie was born January 26, 1916, on the Duft family farm east of Starkweather, ND, the daughter of Ferdinand and Mathilda (Peters) Duft. She was educated at the country schoolhouse near the farm. Before her marriage, she worked as a hired girl for several of the local farm families. On June 17, 1936, she married Edward Larson in Devils Lake, and in 1945 their only child, Roger, was born. In 1947, they moved to Webster, ND where they owned and operated the Ed Larson Service Station until retirement in 1997. Ed and Tillie then bought a home in Devils Lake and lived there until Ed’s death on April 24, 2006. Tillie then resided in Odd Fellows basic care for seven years. In November, 2011, she moved to Heartland Care Center. Tillie was a hard worker, and helped in the potato harvest every fall. She loved to talk, and her friendliness brought her many dear friends throughout her lifetime. She enjoyed going dancing, and also fishing with her husband, Ed, but most of all, she enjoyed the chance to visit with friends and family, and helping others whenever she could. In the summer she enjoyed gardening and yard work. Tillie was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Gerard’s Circle and the Eagles Auxiliary for over 50 years. Tillie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward; son, Roger, brother, Verner Duft and sister, Leonarda Adams. Tillie is survived by her beloved family. Her grandsons, Todd Humbert and Kory Larson and great grandchildren, Christopher, Nathaniel, Jessica, Alyssa, Ashley, Shawna and Kody; sisters, Hermena Larson and Rose Gulseth of Devils Lake and Cecelia Benson of Portland, Oregon; many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews.