Florence Helen Larson, a lifelong Grays Harbor resident, passed peacefully at her home in Aberdeen on March 8, 2017, at the age of 98. She was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Nov. 18, 1918, the daughter of Frank and Louise (Willi) Jasper, the seventh of eleven children. She was preceded in death by all ten of her siblings, Hubert Jasper, Adelaide Sullivan, Margaret Stone, George, Robert, William, Edward, Richard, David and Phillip Jasper.

The Jasper’s moved to Hoquiam when Florence was a baby and made their home on Karr Ave. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Hoquiam until graduation from 8th grade. Due to the Depression the family moved to a strawberry farm in Elma when she was 13.

Florence graduated from Elma High School at age 16 in 1935 and attended Grays Harbor Business College.

She worked at S.H. Kress & Company in Aberdeen until she met her loving husband of 45 years, Robert Larson, at a Vasa Hall dance. They married Sept. 2, 1939, in Hoquiam. Robert built their family home in West Aberdeen where they raised their three children and she remained the rest of her life. He preceded her in death in 1985.

Robert and Florence partnered with Russ and Maxine Hindman to open Duffy’s Tavern in 1945, which was later converted to Duffy’s Restaurant in 1969.

Florence faithfully attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen and her devotion to God and her church was of high importance. She volunteered at the Aberdeen Clothing Bank and was a member of St. Aurelia’s Guild.

Her smile could light up any room and her quick wit and sense of humor were a delight for anyone who knew her.

Florence loved to dance, read, bake, play cards, tinker in the garden and travel internationally. Every summer she enjoyed time when all of her siblings and the many members of her extended family gathered together for a family picnic at Black Lake in Olympia, a family tradition for over 71 years.

Florence is survived by three children: Ralph (Susan) Larson, Bob Larson and Janet (David) Sullivan, all of Aberdeen; eight grandchildren: Paul Larson, Sheri Harrison, Chris Lewin, Patti Jones, Shelly Ridgway, Cindy Barnes, Brian Sullivan and Kevin Sullivan and 12 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Megan Sullivan in 1989.

A special thank you to Barb Claxton who was her loving and loyal caregiver for five years.

Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, in the chapel at Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 16, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Aberdeen. Burial will follow in Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen.

A reception will follow the services at the St. Mary’s Parish Center.

The family suggests memorials may be made to St. Mary’s School, 518 North “H” St., Aberdeen, WA 98520 or to a charity of your choice.

A card of condolence with a message or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.