Obituary of Gracye E. Larsen

LARSEN, GRACE E. GALLAWAY, 94 Belleview - Grace E. Gallaway Larsen, 94, of Belleview passed away of leukemia on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at her residence under the loving care of her family and Hospice of Marion County. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 57 years, Howard F. Larsen, Sr., and her son-in-law James Spalding. Grace is survived by her two daughters, Nina A. Spalding Larsen, Belleview, FL, and Karen L. (Kevin) Gehrmann, Portage, WI; her son, Howard F.(Risa) Larsen, Jr ., Cary, NC; two grandsons, Robert J. (Kristen) Davis, Todd A. (Tabitha) Gehrmann, two great-grandchildren, Christian and Trinity, her sister, Edith Gonzalez, and four nieces, Joyce Gregory, Theresa Plante, Susan Bielski, and Anita House. She and Howard were married in 1936 in Chicago, IL. They made their lives together living in Wisconsin, Arizona, Kentucky and Indiana before settling in Florida in 1968. After the death of her husband in 1993, Grace found her calling in many volunteer efforts. While trying to help some friends deal with health issues, she realized that Meals on Wheels was not available in Belleview. She and Carol Pauzé worked diligently for months to make that happen. Grace was a volunteer with SHINE, Senior Services of Marion County, Big Sun Volunteer Center, AARP of Belleview, also serving as president for several years. She served as President of Belleview United Methodist Church (BUMC) United Women, was a member of Church Women United in Ocala, and served as Historian of the Leesburg District United Methodist Women's organization. She was a volunteer of the Kids Club of BUMC and for the United Methodist Reading Program in which she went to nursing homes and read to the residents. Friends and family are cordially invited to a Memorial Service to be held at Belleview United Methodist Church, 5640 SE Brown Road, on August 22, 2010 at 2 PM. Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Belleview United Methodist Church or Hospice of Marion County, PO Box 4860, Ocala, FL 34478. Online condolences may be sent at www.hiers-baxley.com. Arrangements under the care of Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, Belleview.