OBITUARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 221, 18 August 1932, Page 9

OBITUARY.

MRS J. F. LARSEN. Another of the fast diminishing band of pioneers was lost to the community by the death of Mrs Johanna Fredericka Larsen, which occurred at the residence of lier daughter, Mrs M. Christensen, of 2 Church Street, on Saturday last. Tho deceased lady, who had attained the great ago of 97 years, had been a resident of the Dominion during the past 57 years, and bad witnessed much of its progress in the transformation of a countryside of bush into pleasing farms, more particularly in the Mauricevillo district, Wairarapa. In company with her husband and family of eight children, Mrs Larsen came to the Dominion from Denmark in 1875 and, following upon tlieir arrival at Wellington, proceeded immediately to Mauricevillo, where Mr Larsen took up a small farm. Three more children were there born to Mr and Mrs Larsen. Following upon the death of her husband 25 years ago, Mrs Larsen continued to reside on the farm, with one of her sons, until eight years ago when she joined her daughter ill Palmerston North. Despite her advanced age, Mrs Larsen retained possession of all her faculties to the end, and within three weeks of her death had been able to move about quite freely and to carry on her knitting in a manner which was the admiration of her friends. Both in Mauriceville and in Palmerston North, the deceased lady liad been an activo worker for the Lutheran Church, and in her passing it has lost

a member who will bo greatly missed. Of her family of 11 children, four predeceased ilreir mother, the surviving members being Mrs M. Christensen, of Church Street, Messrs Charles Larsen, of Martin Street, Jack Larsen, of Glen Oroua, Arthur Larsen, of Masterton, Andrew Larsen, of Omana, William Larsen, of Kawliia, and Barney Larsen, of Eureka. There are also 4*B grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren. The funeral took place on Tuesday, the remains being laid to rest in the Wallaceville cemetery.