Joanne Elaine Larson

Joanne Elaine Reitan Larson of Rochester Hills passed away peacefully on the evening of June 6, 2012 after living courageously with Multiple Sclerosis for the past ten years.

She is survived by her children, Lori (Tom) Rapp, Kevin (Melissa) Larson, Sue (Jonel) Stingu, Scott Larson, and Konni Larson (Mark) Behounek; 16 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Byron (Bud), parents Lillian & Olaf Reitan, brother James Eugene (Gene), and two nieces.

Joanne was born on September 21, 1930 and grew up on a dairy farm near Ellsworth, Wisconsin. She briefly studied music at St. Olaf College, chosen because of her Norwegian roots, before marrying Dennis Larson in Red Wing, Minnesota in 1950. They raised their young children in St. Paul before moving to Michigan where Joanne worked as a bookkeeper. She was actively involved in the service organization Epsilon Sigma Alpha and was also a member of Abiding Presence and St. John Lutheran churches.

She will be remembered for loving and nurturing her children and grandchildren, her fondness of music, travel and books, and her commitment to helping others. Memorial donations may be made to the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis (www.acceleratedcure.org) or St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org).