Billie Marie (Elavsky) Larson

About Billie

Billie Marie (Elavsky) Larson of Nevis/Akeley MN passed away peacefully at her home on March 29th 2024 at the age of 74.

Billie Marie Knudson was born on March 15th, 1950 in Fargo, North Dakota to Helen Marie (Bonde) and Wilman (Bill) O. Knudson.

Billie attended Fargo schools, graduating from NDSU in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics with a minor in Child Development and Family Relations. Billie Marie flourished at NDSU where she was a Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority member along with many activities including Pom Pom Girl, Runner Up Sweetheart, and Who’s Who Among Students in College and Universities (1972).

From an early age Billie Marie was drawn to teaching. In August 1973 she accepted a teaching position at Akeley Public School, where she only intended to spend a year or two, but taught until her retirement in 2006, first at Akeley and later the consolidated district of Walker, Hackensack, Akeley.

While teaching, Billie Marie became involved with the organization Future Home Makers of America (Later FLA/FCCLA). Her students achieved many great accomplishments including region, state and national officers and successful completions of many programs and competitions within the organization.

Billie Marie was united in marriage to Donovan Elavsky of Akeley on July 14th 1979 and had two sons John and Jordan. She was united in marriage to Rev. Richard Larson of Laporte, MN on June 6th 2006. They moved to Tucson AZ in retirement. Richard passed away in 2015 and in 2019 she returned to the Akeley/Nevis area to be closer to family and grandchildren.

Billie loved to travel and was able to travel extensively in retirement, dining at the Eifel Tower, traveling through the Panama Canal, and a trip to Israel being among her favorite memories. She had a positive, outgoing personality and loved her “little church” First Lutheran in Akeley . She loved her family, especially her sons, “little” daughter in-laws, and grandchildren.

She is survived by her sons, John (Christina) Elavsky, Jordan (Michelle) Elavsky, her siblings, Mike (Peg) Knudson, David Knudson, Nancy (Greg) Anderson, and Grandchildren Jackson Elavsky and Emma Elavsky.

She is proceeded in death by her husband Richard, and parents Helen and Wilman.

memorial service

A small service for family will be held in consonance with her wishes.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Funeral Home