Gail Larson's Obituary
Gail Deanna (Gustafson) Larson, age 87, passed away peacefully at Vistra Care Adult Family Home2 in Puyallup, WA, on September 29th, 2025, from Dementia.
Thanks go to Rahab and Henry Karani, owners plus caretakers Sophia and Taneisha. A special thank you goes to Karyn Peterson for her 3 years at Bridgeport Place.
Gail was born on June 22nd, 1938, in Tacoma, Washington, at Tacoma General Hospital to Melvin and Hildur Gustafson. She was raised in South Tacoma and attended Arlington Elementary, Gray Junior High, and graduated from Lincoln High school in 1956. She attended Pacific Lutheran College (Now known as PLU) for two years where she met Manford Terrell (Terry) Larson, and quite school after qualifying for her MRS degree!
They were married following his graduation on June 3rd, 1961. Gail was a former member of Hope Lutheran Church, where they were married, currently long-time members of Gloria Dei Lutheran.
Gail worked during her high school years at Rhodes Department Store (downtown) as the Easter Bunny and elevator operator. After leaving PLC, she worked for five years in the office of South Tacoma Chevrolet.
Marriage to Terry meant moving a number of times as his employer, Weyerhauser Company, sent them to St. Paul, MN, then back to Tacoma, then to South Bend, IN, next to Longview, WA, and finally again to Tacoma in 1968. Their son, Lindsey, was born in South Bend, IN, in 1965 and daughter Lori, shortly after returning to Tacoma in 1969.
Gail was very handy with needle and thread and made a good share of the clothes for her daughter. Later in life she did a lot of crocheting and knitting of lap robes for the residents of the Tacoma Lutheran home.
Gail was a very caring wife for her family and friends, and she volunteered for over 19 years as the Altar Chairperson for her church, plus Education & Youth Commitee, Sunday School staff, Bulletin Board Coordinator, Nominating Committee and Banner maker.
Gail and Terry spend over 50 years traveling the U.S with their children in three Trailers and five Motorhomes. Spent two cross country trips to Florida and Eastern Canada for over three months each time. Gail said she had more than enough history lessons of U.S battlefields on the East Coast! They took six ocean cruises plus three trips to the Hawaiian Islands.
Gail and Terry spend over forty years involved in the Square & Round Dance Federation in Washington, serving as officers in club, council, state organizations and the Seattle National Convention in 1981. Gail made most of their Square Dance outfits as well as the Hix ‘N Chix club banner.
Gail is survived by her loving family, her husband Terry of 64 years and their two children; Lindsey (Violet) and Lori Stutsman (Matt), all of Tacoma. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Ryan Buckingham (Eryn) of Ephrata, Megan Buckingham (Lance), Kyle Larson (Courtney) and Kristin Rice (Zack), all of Tacoma; plus, eight great grandchildren: Cooper, Brixton, Sophia, Channing, Chevelle, Journey, Krew and Rylee. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A service to celebrate Gail’s life will be held on Saturday, October 18th at 11:00AM at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 3315 S 19th Street, Tacoma, WA, 98405. Reception to follow service in Narthex of the church, hosted by ladies of the congregation.
Graveside committal to follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Garden Court Section,
4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA.
Remembrances are requested to be directed to the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.
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