Colleen R. Larsen

Colleen R. Larsen, 89, passed away on May 31, at Regency Park Assisted Living facility in Gambrills.   She was a beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.

Colleen was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on December 11, 1934, the daughter of the late Bernard & Dorothy (Jacobson) Kraemer.  She attended schools in Kenosha, and was a graduate of Mary D. Bradford H.S.   Colleen married Lewis E. Larsen in 1956; he passed away in 2013.  She also enjoyed a loving relationship with her dear friend Eleanor Martz, who preceded her in death.  She loved animals, particularly her dogs, and treated her adorable Westie “Conner” as her baby and cherished best friend.

Colleen was employed in the Special Education department of the Kenosha Unified School District, followed by 18 years in administrative positions at S.C. Johnson & Son, retiring in 1996.  Following retirement, she served as a Hospice volunteer, and was a dedicated member of the Humane Society.  Colleen loved reading, walking and most importantly… shopping.  

Her life was filled with the love of her son, grandchildren and great grandchildren; they were all her “gems,“ she cherished whenever they could spend time together.  Anyone who had the benefit of knowing Colleen realized they had a “friend for life.”  She prided herself on retaining important dates in the lives of everyone she knew, and you always could depend on some variation of a call, card, visit, or gift arriving in celebration of important points in your life.

Colleen moved to Maryland in 2020, so her son could personally attend to her care.  True to her nature, Colleen developed strong friendships with residents and staff of both the Arbor Terrace and Regency Park assisted living facilities in Gambrills.  We are grateful to both facilities for their extreme dedication to Colleen’s care.  Our profound thanks as well to Hospice of the Chesapeake for their incredible attention to loving care in her final weeks; we are convinced they are living angels.

Surviving is her son Mark (Patty) Larsen of Crofton; her grandchildren David (Theresa) Larsen of St. Louis, Eric (Gaby) Larsen of St. Louis, Hayley (Josh Smith) Larsen of Hanahan, SC, and Annika Larsen of Selbyville, DE; her great grandchildren Kingston, Aiden and Nico of St. Louis; sister Sherry (Michael) MacInnes of Henderson, NV; sister-in-law Dorothy Felber of Kenosha, WI, plus a variety of nieces, nephews and other extended family.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, June 29 at the All Saints Mausoleum Chapel in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  In lieu of flowers or other tributes, please consider a gift to your favorite charity, or your local Humane Society or Alzheimer’s/Dementia associations.