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Grace Urshan Larson
Grace Suzanna Larson
Published: Oct 17 2008, 9:01 PM · Updated: Oct 17 2008, 9:02 PM
Grace Suzanna Larson (age 90) was born in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 25, 1918, to Persian evangelist, Rev. Andrew Urshan and his wife, Mildred. Grace had two younger brothers, Rev. Nathaniel A. Urshan of Indianapolis, Ind., and Andrew Urshan Jr. of New York City. Her surviving sister is Faith Edith St. Claire of Rio Rancho, N.M.
Grace traveled to many cities, going with her father to minister from Los Angeles, to New York City, to Chicago, St. Paul, and Cochrane, Wis. She received the Holy Spirit and was baptized at age 12 in her father’s revival meeting in Chicago.
At age 18, Grace went to work for the Helen Titus dress shops of New York City, and eventually modeled clothes for this establishment, as well as the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
In 1940, a turning event in her life caused Grace to follow her father’s advice and attend the Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul, Minn. While there, she met John Arvid Larson, a Swedish carpenter from Minnesota, whom she married in New York City in 1943 in a ceremony performed by her father, Andrew Urshan.
This marriage union produced five wonderful children. First born was daughter, JoAnne Carole Albin, and husband, Noah, of Eureka, Calif., then daughter Marilyn Faith McDonald, and husband Rev. John McDonald of Eureka, Calif., a son, John Arvid Larson Jr. and wife, Judy Lynn of Stockton, Calif., a deceased daughter, Jean Lois Taylor of Big Spring, Texas, married to Rev. Greg Taylor, and son, James Nathaniel Larson, married to Rachel Joleane, of San Diego, Calif. Their children brought to their life 13 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
They resided in St. Paul, Minn., from the time of their marriage until moving to Stockton, Calif. in 1972. During this time, her husband was the President of Larson Construction Company. A few years after her husband, John Arvid, passed, Grace moved to Eureka, Calif., in 2001 to be with her two daughters, JoAnne Albin and Marilyn McDonald. She passed from this life on Oct. 15, 2008, in Eureka, Calif.
While living in Stockton, Grace was very active in Christian Life Center teaching Sunday School with her long-time friend, Rachel Sullivan. Known for her love of brilliant and flashy clothing, she kept a great social life going, hosting special occasions in her home, and attending events for her church, the Christian Life College, and the bank her husband worked for. She hated to miss any occasion where she had the opportunity to mingle and fellowship with others.
Both her immediate family and extended family meant everything to Grace, and much emphasis was put upon family togetherness. She loved holiday celebrations, parties, and picnics. She loved gospel music and enjoyed playing the piano and singing. She was fond of traveling any time she had a chance to. She was known for cooking up big Persian dinners for her family and friends, and giving fancy tea parties for her dearest associates. She was known by her family as “Amazing Grace” because of her strength to survive the storms of life.
Grace was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, John Arvid, her daughter, Jean Lois Taylor, her granddaughter, Tami Jo Delman, and two brothers Andrew and Nathaniel Urshan.
She is survived by her daughter JoAnne Albin and husband Noah, Daughter Marilyn McDonald and husband John, her son, John Larson and wife Judy, son James Larson and wife Joni, her sister, Faith St. Clair, 12 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Many thanks to the wonderful caregivers for the love she received at Dolly Frye’s Care Home this past year, and also for the special and loving care that was extended from the Hospice personnel for the past several weeks.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pierce Mortuary Chapel, 707 H Street, Eureka, CA
There will be a funeral service held on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, at the Full Gospel Tabernacle, 2020 Campton Rd, Eureka, Calif. at 5 p.m., under the direction of her pastor, Rev. Jonathan McDonald, and Sr. Pastor and son-in-law, Rev. John McDonald. The interment will be at Cherokee Memorial Park, Lodi, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, at 3 p.m.
Arrangements are under the care of Pierce Mortuary, Eureka, CA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tupelo Children’s Mansion, P. O. Box 167, Tupelo, MS 38802-0167 in recognition of her love for children.
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