Phyllis R. Larsen

Phyllis will be remembered always for her kindness, her compassion, and her generosity. She always had a smile and a candy bar for anyone who visited her. Her faith was her strength that carried her through the years as she endured the gradual loss of her eyesight. She was determined to be independent and to live on her own, and she was an inspiration to all. Her attitude was always one of optimism and gratitude for the love she was shown by all who knew her. She would often call her children her “angels”. Phyllis especially loved her yearly Christmas Eve gatherings that filled her little house with joy and celebration. Her meat pies were always a big hit.

Phyllis spent some of her early years at the West Gladstone #3 dam during the Great Depression. She often talked about her fond memories of swimming and the wonderful summers they had.

She moved back to Escanaba in junior high school and graduated from Escanaba High School in 1942. Phyllis attended Cloverland Commercial College before working at the Neisner Dime Store for a short time and later in the office at the Montgomery Ward Department Store. She also worked as a stenographer in the office at the U.P. Power and Light Company.

On June 25, 1949, she married the love of her life, Oscar J. Larsen. He preceded her in death in 1998, after 49 years of marriage.

In later years, she worked part-time in the factory at Sayklly’s Candies. She called it the “sweetest” job she ever had.

Phyllis was active in league bowling and Girls Scouts, where she was an assistant leader for many years. She served on the Pollution Planning Commission in Escanaba, worked at the election polls and belonged to the North Escanaba Ladies Luncheon Club. She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church and was also in the ladies Guild.

She is survived by her children, Karen (Terry) Tratt of Kalamazoo, James Larsen of Escanaba, Mary Briere of Bark River, Jane (James) Pratt of Escanaba; grandchildren, Stephanie (Chris) Jones, Michael and Christopher Tratt, Rachel, Jed and Ben Larsen, Erin (Jason) Davis, Kevin (Greta) Briere, George P. (Merissa) Briere, Brittany and Brianna Pratt; nine great-grandchildren, Elyse Jones, Kaiya, Caleb, and Cole Davis, Aleksi and Benjamin Briere, and Gianna, Axel, and Roc Briere; brother-in-law, Glen (Shirley) Larsen; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Oscar; siblings, James (Marge) VanEffen, William (Elaine) VanEffen, Richard VanEffen, twin sister Eileen (Art) Anderson, Helen (Ray) Nolde; son in law, George L. Briere; and grandson, Max Larsen.

Visitation will be on Thursday, November 2 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at noon at St. Thomas the Apostle Church with Rev. Rick Courier officiating. A meal will follow in the church hall.

Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery. A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net.

The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.