Marjorie E. Larsen's Obituary
Marjorie Larsen, Lakewood educator, was born April 18, 1916 in Roslyn, WA, and passed away from complications of pneumonia May 25th, 2006. Marjorie was blessed with many friends. Of 80 invited to her birthday party just one month ago, 75 appeared to honor her and celebrate her 90th year. Marjorie led a full and eventful life, including having contracted polio as a child, living on meager means during the Great Depression, growing up in Seattle and earning her teaching degrees at Washington State and Central Washington State colleges, and earning her Ph.D. equivalent degree. She met her husband Leonard, who preceded her in death in 1978, while a student at WSC. After graduating from WSC, she followed Leonard to Kodiak Alaska where he was involved in building a military base prior to WW II. She returned to Seattle when Leonard joined the Army and was sent back to Alaska. After the war they relocated first to Seattle and then to Goldendale, WA, where they raised their family of four including daughters Carolyn (Niemann), Lee (Sadler), and Christine and son Linn until 1961, when they relocated to Lakewood. Marjorie began teaching at Clover Park High School, moving over to Lakes High School when it opened in 1962. During the summer prior to LHS opening, Marjorie, who also taught speed reading, read every book in the library in order to be able to recommend books to students. After teaching English for several years she became the junior counselor, where she continued her career until retirement. Marjorie was a life member of the Phi Beta Kappa educational honorary fraternity, and the Lakewood Historical Society. Besides her children she leaves nine grandchildren; Chris (Natasha), Mike ( Amy), and Geoff (Jill) Niemann, Erika (Jeffrey) Kinsaul, Lisa (Brian) Reeder Andy Sadler, Wyatt, Hunter, and Rand Larsen, and nine great-grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 8, at the Celebration of Life Center at Mountain View Funeral Home at 4100 Steilacoom Boulevard. A reception will follow immediately thereafter. In lieu of flowers as well as other memorials it is Marjorie's wish that donations be made to the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, 2021 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121-2783.
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