Arla Loy Larson Obituary (1936

Long time resident of Seabeck Washington, Arla Loy (Roewert) Larson, has passed away and is at peace and resting in the embrace of the Lord. She was 88 years old. Arla Loy Roewert married Eldon Eugene Larson, also of Tilden, Nebraska in 1953. The couple celebrated their 71st Wedding Anniversary together this year. Arla Loy Larson was born in Tilden, Nebraska to Arnold and Helena (Thomsen) Roewert. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church, the same church in rural Tilden that her family had attended for two generations before her and where as a child she would hear God's word preached in German as well as English. Her parents provided a solid Lutheran upbringing for their children and Arla, as well as her siblings, were nurtured in their faith and God's promise of salvation in Christ. She was the eldest daughter of five children and was raised on the family farm that her grandfather had established in the late 1800s' and acquired by her father. This farming background was central to her upbringing, youth and formative years and she and her siblings joined in with the various chores around the farm. Entertainment came mostly after the chores, but the household had a piano that Arla would learn to play and so music was also part of her growing up. Church and family gatherings would feature playing and singing hymns from the Lutheran hymnal. Life in the late 1930's through 1950 was difficult at best and demanding beyond compare with the lax and catered lifestyles of today...however, the daily chores and work ethic she developed coincided with the abundance of faith in God that was instilled in her and was the foundation for her family. Arla attended Tilden Public Schools and graduated in 1953. A life-long learner, she loved to read and accumulated an extensive library of classical literature, world and United States history and attended community college during the 1970's, receiving an associate degree in bookkeeping. As newlyweds the couple set about to improve their lot by establishing a farm on their own; but after several hard weather years and crop failures the young couple were unable to get any tangible results for their efforts and the decision was made to move westward following employment opportunities. Placing their trust in God, the couple and their young family began a series of moves. Eventually, Eldon was hired by Boeing and then began working for the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton that would provide the couple and their young family the livelihood to afford purchasing what would affectionately become known as the "Larson Homestead" here in Seabeck. It was here in Seabeck, for 64 years, that Arla Loy Larson made and embodied fresh definitions for nouns like: spouse, Mother, homemaker and later grandmother and great-grandmother and provided her family, by example, with a lighted path through Christian faith. Her faith has had an impact, over the decades, on both family and friends. Arla Loy was devoted to her siblings and to her family all her life and despite the distance from their home in Seabeck, she and Eldon traveled back to Tilden frequently, to conduct visits with relations in Nebraska. Many memories were made between various cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents on these visits and they were nurtured with each trip. Somehow, the period between Christmas cards and letters was not such a vacuum as a result of these reunions. Family being a priority, Arla was sure to host every holiday occasion that she could, filling her home with family and friends. By 1981 she began preparing her signature entre' Seafood Newburgh for Christmas, feeding her large family well year after year in a tradition that will long be remembered! During the same decades, spanning the late 1970's through the 2010's, (regardless of the season) over the past 40 years or better she and Eldon made innumerable day trips and long weekends to watch grandchildren--and few great grandchildren, participate in some activity or another...baptisms, sports, 4-H activities, ballet, plays, recitals, confirmations and graduations...invariably Grandma was in the audience enjoying and supporting her family. While family and reunions were one important aspect of life for Eldon and Arla, Church was another. Upon arrival in the Bremerton area, the couple became members of Memorial Lutheran Church in Bremerton. In 1980 Arla and Eldon were founding members of Evergreen Lutheran Church where she actively participated, always ready to volunteer her time and talents in the choir; as librarian, Sunday School Superintendent and council officer. Additionally she served as pianist for a number of years, and worked in the church office for over fifteen years. Arla was preceded in death by her parents Arnold and Helena Roewert; brothers Arland Roewert, Larry Roewert; and a son, Ricky Lynn. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Eldon Eugene Larson; sisters Sharon Weber and Marla Rice, children, Rodney Larson (Wendy), Robin Larson, Marsha Ackerlund (Andrew) and Mark Larson. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Shannon Gaydeski (Michael), Joel Larson, Emily Hockett (Thomas), Ethan Ackerlund (Rebekah), Ellynn Schumaker (Samuel), Caleb Larson (Su), Tanner Larson, Emmett Ackerlund (Victoria), Kristen Johansen (Ryan), Kari Larson and Mathew Larson, as well as 22 great grandchildren: Hannah, Nora, Piper and Liam Gaydeski; Skylar Larson; Thomas, James, Lucy, Charles and Michael Hockett; Evelyn, Olivia and Elouise Schumaker; Riker, Theoden and Elinor Johansen; and Cillian, Ronan, Becket, Marion, Edward and Marguerite Ackerlund. Viewing is available at the Chapel, 5303 Kitsap Way, Bremerton WA 98312, from 2 until 4pm on Friday, September 27, 2024. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 11:00 am, with a reception lunch to follow at Evergreen Lutheran Church, 3200 Seabeck-Holly Road NW, Seabeck 98380. Committal will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Bremerton on September 28, 2024, at 2 pm. The family suggests memorial donations to Evergreen Lutheran Preschool, PO Box 740 Seabeck, WA 98380 or their website at www.seabecklutheran.com. Condolences may be left at www.lewischapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lewis Funeral Chapel.