Doryce Arlene Saar

Doryce Saar, née Larson, was born at home in Hollywood, Florida on July 7, 1932. Her mother, Gudrun Larson, née Henjum, father Louis Edwin Larson, brothers Ellwood Larson, Dean Larson and sister Marjorie Deshields, née Larson, made an arduous journey from the family farm in South Dakota to their new home in Hollywood, Florida during the heart of the Great Depression in 1932. Gudrun was pregnant with Doryce when they made the journey, and Doryce was born in Hollywood soon after they arrived. Thus, Doryce became the first of a long line of Larson pioneers born in South Florida.

Doryce was a diligent and outstanding student in school. Doryce also excelled at athletics as a child and was a star softball player for her South Broward High School Bulldogs. Because of Doryce’s blonde hair, blue eyes, and sweet disposition, the announcer at her softball games always called her “The Sweet Swede.” Doryce never bothered to correct the announcer that the Larsons and the Henjums actually hailed from Norway, not Sweden. Doryce was also a majorette in the South Broward High School marching band, which was so outstanding, they were invited and marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. It was Doryce’s first time in the big city.

After graduating from high school, Doryce went to work at the Broward County Courthouse. She later went to work for an architectural firm in Fort Lauderdale where she met the love of her life, Edward Harold Saar. Doryce and Ed were married in 1952 and went on to share 40 faithful, loving and beautiful years together before Ed passed away in 1992. When her second son Louis Edwin (Eddie) Saar was born in 1964, she quit her job to be a full-time mother and homemaker for her happy family. When Ed opened his own architectural firm in 1972, Doryce became the accountant and bookkeeper for the firm. Doryce always had a knack for numbers, as she excelled in mathematics in grade school and high school.

Doryce and Ed were members of Christ Lutheran Church in Fort Lauderdale and raised their two boys, Mark Allen Saar and Eddie to be faithful Christians. Both boys were baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran, and Doryce ensured that every Sunday they attended Sunday School and Church. Mark and Eddie were both acolytes and active in the senior youth ministry at the church. Doryce was also on the board of the church council and served as secretary-treasurer for many years.

Doryce was an avid and accomplished tennis player. Doryce competed on the Coral Ridge Country Club doubles tennis team and won numerous tournaments with her partners. Doryce was also a skilled bridge player, and she played bridge with the same competitive zeal in which she played tennis. Doryce enjoyed two different weekly bridge club gatherings, often hosting in her home when it was her turn. Just like tennis, Doryce played to win at bridge, even though they only chipped in one dollar a piece for the winner’s pot. Even though her bridge outings were enjoyable social affairs, during the actual game, it was no time for idle chat. For Doryce, the bridge game itself was all business.

Above all else, Doryce was an ever-loving, nurturing and clement mother. Doryce loved Mark and Eddie with all her heart and soul. Especially after her husband Ed passed, she devoted her life to her two boys. More than once, she had to nurture her boys back to health with forgiveness, understanding, tender care, and unconditional love. When her first son Mark passed away in an automobile accident in 2004, Doryce was devastated. Even so, she remained so strong for her son Eddie, picking up the pieces of their shattered life and holding it all together for Eddie’s sake. Doryce was a living testament to courage and fortitude in the face of adversity that only a loving mother could muster.

Those left to cherish her memory include her ever loving, and eternally grateful son, Eddie Saar and his spouse Oliver Colmenares; her beloved sister Marjorie Deshields, without whose love and support she never could have managed; her beloved brother Dean Larson and his wife Nancy; her beloved and treasured niece, Debbie Stine, née Deshields; her beloved niece Kathy Larson Cooley; and many other nieces, nephews and treasured family members and dear friends.

Doryce was preceded in death by her husband Edward H. Saar; her son Mark Saar; her brother Ellwood Larson and his wife Reda Larson; her brother Paul Larson; her brother-in-law Clyde Deshields; and her late parents Louis Edwin Larson and Gudrun Larson.

A memorial service celebrating Doryce’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Fred Hunter’s Funeral Home, in Fort Lauderdale.

In lieu of flowers, Doryce requested that memorial donations be made to the Broward County Humane Society.