Margaret (Marge) M. Larson
August 6, 1933–November 17, 2023
Margaret M. Larson, 90, of Iola, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Nov. 17, 2023, at Living Oaks Assisted Living, Iola.
Margaret was born in Marion, Wisconsin, on Aug. 6, 1933, to Otto and Emma (Lembke) Beyersdorf. She married LaVern H. Knaup on July 24, 1954, at St. Peters Church in Big Falls, Wisconsin. LaVern preceded Margaret in death on Nov. 5, 1976. Margaret married Allen M. Larson on Nov. 29, 1980, and he passed away on Sept. 29, 2011.
Surviving Margaret are daughter-in-law Mary Knaup, grandson Andrew and wife Anna Knaup with great-grandchildren Ewan and Etta. Also surviving are step-daughter Karen and husband Roger Ellsworth with children Scott, Chad, Todd and Beau as well as step-granddaughter Miriam Cleveland and husband Tyler Snouffer with children Kathryn and Rebecca. Other family members are Allegra (David) Gullixon, Connie Jenson, Bruce (Barb) Beyersdorf, Sandy Eatherson,
Margaret graduated from Marion High School and went to work at Miller Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She returned to Big Falls to work at the FWD, where she met her husband, LaVern Knaup.
After they married, they lived on a farm in Harrison Township, Iola. Their son Dennis LaVern was born on Oct. 22, 1955, and daughter Debra Lynn was born on Oct. 26, 1957. Margaret continued with dairy farming until her children were in the upper grades of school. Then she went to work in the typesetting department at Krause Publications in Iola until she retired. After retiring, Margaret and Allen traveled and spent many fun-filled hours enjoying their grandchildren.
Family members preceding Margaret in death are: Parents Otto and Emma Beyersdorf, husbands LaVern Knaup and Allen Larson, daughter Debra Lynn Knaup, son Dennis LaVern Knaup, brother Alvin Beyersdorf and sisters Doris (Martin) Begrow and Elda (Harold) Draheim,
Margaret will be remembered for being very active in church and community. She was a member of St. Peter’s Church, Ladies Quilting, Ladies Aid, Church Council, Sunday School Teacher, Big Falls Cemetery Board, and Central Wisconsin Electric Round Up Committee, Township of Harrison Election Board and volunteered at House of Hope in Marion.
She was a fan of the Green Bay Packers and attended many of the Iola baseball games. Gardening and canning vegetables, making lefse and rosettes at Christmas were always a joy for her.
The Memorial Service for Margaret will be held on Tuesday Nov. 21, at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Big Falls with the Rev. Janice Kuder officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 10-10:45 a.m. Interment of cremains will be in the Big Falls Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church will be appreciated.