Juanita Marie Larson

Juanita Marie (Toots) Larson passed away on January 18, 2022, in Lafayette, CO. She was born on December 14, 1942, in Leoville, KS to Edmund F. and Helen Rose Ritter Kaus. Juanita is survived by her husband, Richard H. (Dickie) Larson, sons Richard E. (Denise), James (Melanie), daughters Teresa (Michael) Krieger, Monica (Victor) Domenico and Katrina (Tim) Cassady, brothers Norman (Pat) Kaus, David (Pat) Kaus, Rick (Kim) Kaus and sister Evelyne Palmer, 22 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and family. She was preceded in death by her son Mark, brothers Edmund and Raymond Kaus.

A few years after she was born, the family moved to Eastlake, CO. Toots graduated from Merritt Hutton High School in 1960. She had a love for music and learned to play the piano and organ by ear. Some of her favorite artists were Faron Young, Elvis, Statler Brothers and Daniel O’Donnell. She met the love of her life Richard (Dickie) Larson square dancing in Eastlake. While dating, they enjoyed attending live music performances. They married on June 10, 1961, and they lived and worked together on the farm while starting their family of six children. She adapted very quickly to farm life, which included milking cows, feeding animals, and driving the tractor while Dickie was sledding hay. Toots briefly worked for Amos C. Sudler Stock and Bond Company in Denver before starting her family. For years, she worked for her father’s business at Eastlake Lockers after the kids were in school.

Toots and Dickie enjoyed traveling abroad with family and friends - going to places that included Alaska, Hawaii, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Israel. She treasured the memories made on those trips, especially renewing their wedding vows in Cana, Israel.

Her faith and family came first, and she spent hours volunteering at the school and church. She maintained the friendships made at the church and school over the years and was still meeting for lunch with the “Assumption Bunch” as she referred to them. Juanita was so generous with her time and was a true caregiver. This included babysitter, pet sitter, airport shuttle driver, or just lending a hand to a friend or neighbor in need. For years, she would take holiday meals to their elderly neighbors.

In 1983 she joined the Alpha Phi Sorority along with her mother-in-law, Mary. Together they spent years dedicating time to charitable organizations, with their focus on St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She would collect and gather aluminum can tabs as St. Jude would receive money in exchange for those tabs. Her thought was that every little thing she could do would help in any way. Juanita served in multiple roles at both the local and state chapters of Epsilon Sigma Alpha. She cherished her sorority sisters, many of whom she knew for almost 40 years. She enjoyed the many laughs, lunches, activities, and fund raisers they shared together.

While she loved her husband and children dearly, those grandchildren and great-grandchildren had an incredibly special place in her heart. She absolutely loved those babies and would make them handmade gifts when they were born. Sewing, crocheting, cross stitch and quilting were her specialties. She taught us the importance of family traditions and being there for those you love. Every holiday gathering was about family and friends – the more the merrier. Toots was a great cook and could easily accommodate large gatherings. No one could make a roast or turkey like she could! She showed us how to make everyone feel special, accepted, and loved.

She was generous, passionate, sweet, caring, and saw the silver linings in all situations. We will miss her contagious laugh and her warmth. She was so comfortable to be around and always made you feel welcomed in her home.

It has been such a blessing to witness her love of God, self, and others. She was a shining example to us all, and we will keep her close to our broken hearts as we grieve her loss and pray for her eternal rest in heaven. She was a true angel on earth and will be greatly missed.

Visitation at 5pm on Monday, January 24, 2022 – at Olinger Highland Mortuary, 10201 Grant Street, Thornton, CO 80229. Rosary to follow at 6pm.

Funeral Mass on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 – 11am at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 2361 E. 78th Avenue, Denver, CO 80229.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Assumption Church.

A visitation for Juanita will be held Monday, January 24, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, 10201 Grant St, Thornton, CO 80229. A rosary service will occur Monday, January 24, 2022 at 6:00 PM at Olinger Highland Mortuary. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, January 25, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Assumption Catholic Church, 2361 E. 78th Ave., Denver, CO 80229.

Serving as pallbearers are Sam Domenico, Paolo Domenico, Ben Domenico, Tyler Krieger, Kyle Larson, Kevin Larson, Kolten Larson, Harlan Larson, Luke Larson, Nathan Cassady and Joel Cassady.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhighland.com for the Larson family.