Mary Larson

About Mary

Mary Kathryn (Baker) Larson, age 71 of Bemidji, Minnesota passed away peacefully on February 10, 2024 with her husband of 52 years and her adult children by her side. She fiercely battled congestive heart failure over the past several years and passed from complications of the disease.

Mary was born on December 7, 1952 to Edward Leo and Anne (Yanish) Baker in Bagley, Minnesota. She was the youngest of eight children and the cherished baby of the family. Mary graduated from Bagley High School in 1971 and married her high school sweetheart Arvid Larson on July 4, 1971. The couple’s honeymoon consisted of a move to Idaho Falls where Mary began her life as a Navy wife, the undisputed hardest job in the Navy.

Mary and Arvid welcomed three children, son Christopher Michael born May 16, 1972 in Idaho Falls, daughter Kathryn (Kate) Marie born February 13, 1975 in Milwaukee, and daughter Amanda Ann born August 13, 1979 in Charleston. The young couple moved to Gales Ferry, CT in 1981 where they raised their family and made lifelong military and civilian friends.

In 1990 when Arvid retired from the Navy, the family moved back to Minnesota where they resided in a much-loved lake home in Bemidji. Mary worked briefly as an upholstery seamstress then a seasonal wreath maker before settling into her cherished role as Grandma Daycare.

Mary is known for her kind and giving nature as well as her legendary caregiving roles as wife, mother and grandmother. Her loyalty to friends and family is unequivical shown by her love of hosting family reunions and instigating extended family vacations. Mary enjoyed spending time with her Crazy Sisters, her childhood girlfriends, and her Connecticut entourage "The Hounds." She also liked thrifting, collecting Santas, and attending her grandkids’ school and sports activities. All of these things were done with humor sprinkled throughout.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents Ed and Anne Baker, three sisters Ruthie Baker, Vannie Ness, and Marie Harmon, and two brothers Jimmy Baker and Eddy Baker.

She is survived by her husband Arvid, son Chris (Mandi) Larson of Laramie WY, daughter Kate (Russ) Loecken of Delano MN, daughter Mandy (Bob) Moran of Bemidji, brother William (Bill) Baker, and sister Rosie Larson. She leaves behind nine grandchildren, her life’s greatest joy, Tasen, Sonny, Livia, Haley, Courtney, Dane, Shaiden, Isla and Audrey, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

memorial service

Funeral Services for Mary

February 24, 2024

St. Joseph's Catholic Church 215 Central St W, Bagley, MN 56621, USA

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home