N. Jean Larson died Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, at the Laurens Care Center in Laurens, IA. Norma Jean was born Sept. 16, 1928 in Charleston, Ill. to Harlan A. and Addie E. (McKee) Murphy. When Jean was three years old her family moved to Laurens, Iowa.
Once her mother realized Jean had perfect pitch, she entered her in a local talent contest for which she sang, "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby!" Jean was baptized and confirmed in the Laurens Christian Church and graduated in 1946 from Laurens High where she was a singer, drum majorette, cheerleader, homecoming queen, and—to no one's surprise—a member of the debate team.
Her first date with Lee Larson of Havelock was Halloween 1944. He and a group of his friends used precious WWII rationed gasoline to spend that night pranking their neighbors. She'd found the perfect ring leader for a life of adventures! After her graduation, while Lee was away in the Army, she worked as a secretary in a Des Moines advertising agency.
Jean and Lee married Nov. 30, 1947. They farmed the family farm between Havelock and Laurens until retirement. Once the consummate town girl, Jean learned to plow, drive the baler, and deliver grain to town. As a member of the Havelock United Methodist church Jean served as Women's Society President and was active in church circle and many committees. She was president of the Havelock AMVETS Auxiliary, State President of the Iowa Department of AMVETS Auxiliary in 1964, and National AMVETS Auxiliary Executive Committeewoman in 1965. In the 1970s she worked as a dental assistant for Dr. A. Miles Olson.
Jean and Lee were dedicated snowbirds and travelers, spending 42 winters at their home in Mesa, AZ and visiting every U.S. state and all the Canadian provinces. After a trip to Ireland, in honor of their 50th anniversary, she described the country of her ancestors as "the most beautiful, greenest place I ever saw." In 1991 she flew in a small plane over the Arctic Circle without Lee, who suffered from motion sickness. In 2014 she fulfilled a long-time desire to fly in a WWII bomber; once again Lee stayed on the ground.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and sisters Maxine Bailey and Betty Hall. She is survived by her children Candace Larson (Wayne Hulsebus) of Plover and Mike Larson (Deb) of Grinnell. Her grandchildren are Amanda (Jarod) Wood of Iowa Falls; Kristin (Tom) Boeckman of Carroll; Lee Larson Hulsebus of New York, NY; Derek (Linda) Hulsebus of Casa Grande, AZ; and Lisa Baxter (Aaron Seely) of Windsor Heights. She is also survived by ten great-grandchildren: Elliot, Lauren, and Reese Wood; Riley and Tate Boeckman; Zach and Hannah Hulsebus; Emma, Owen, and Eden Baxter. The family is grateful to the staff of the Laurens Care Center and her roommate Lonna Campbell.