Joan H. Larson

Joan Henriette Larson was born Oct. 23, 1921 to Lynn Henry Osthoff and Alys Lambert Peterson Osthoff in Minneapolis, Minn. She passed away March 7, 2018 at 3:20 p.m. in Fountain Hills.

Joan attended Montlake Elementary School in Seattle. She was quite a sports gal, winning several awards in gymnastics. She attended Garfield High School majoring in fine arts and was active in school government.

Joan inherited a horse from the Seattle Riding Academy where she became an accomplished equestrian. She was also a violinist in Seattle’s Junior Symphony Orchestra, as well as her Garfield Orchestra. Joan studied with a city opera singer then, starting in her junior year singing as the featured soloist for Elwood Arsenio’s Big Band in Seattle for four years.

She met J. Russell Larson during her freshman year at the University of Washington and they married June 7, 1941. They renewed their marriage vows at their 75th wedding anniversary in 2016. The Larsons moved to Spokane, Wash. in 1944, where they designed and built three very modern houses themselves along with working and raising their two sons.

They joined the Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church. Joan belonged to the Daughters of the American Revolution (Jonas Babcock Chapter), and Country Florets Garden Club. Joan was a sales lady at the Palace and Crescent department stores and secretary for the Spokane County Auto Licenses Department. She then completed her Bachelors of Education at Whitworth University in Spokane and went on to teach at Farwell Elementary, and was then hired to take over the art and drama programs at Mead High School, as well as teach as an adjunct the art history at Whitworth University.

Joan and Russ traveled extensively with their two sons, including two summers in San Miguel Allende, Mexico, and many U.S. states. They later ventured to every other state and enjoyed a whole year exploring Europe.

The couple had always had expansive views wherever they lived, so in 1986 they found a house on El Lago in Fountain Hills and added a studio. They joined the Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church, Art League, Cultural and Civic Association, Car Club and the Lower Valley Historical Society. Both she and Russ were docents at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts Museum, and Joan was a docent at the River of Time Museum here in Fountain Hills. She was a former member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Four Peaks Chapter) also in Fountain Hills.

Russ and Joan sold their home in 2011, after 26 years, and moved to Fountain View Village as a retirement home. Joan’s favorite art mediums were oil painting and sculpture.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her older sister, Lynn Osthoff McDonald, and her beloved husband, Russell. Joan Larson is survived by her two sons, Jay Larson (Karen Larson) of Marshall, Mich. and Jan Larson Shield (Dee Goldman) of Newberg, Ore. Grandchildren on Jay’s side are, Kristin Larson Minor of Salt Lake City, Jeffrey Larson of Seattle, Greg Larson (Shelly) of Seattle, and Danielle Paris-Larson (Greg) of Salt Lake City. Grandchildren on Jan’s side are Shawn Shield (Lori) Beaverton, Ore. and Marsely Shield Farley (Fred) of Happy Valley, Ore. She is also survived by 12 great grandchildren; Zach, Ben, and Katie; Mikali and Marshall; Samantha, Ryker, and Caleb; Nolan and Luke; and Tessa and Max.

Joan passed on to be with her Lord and her family invites you to her Celebration of Living Faith at a memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 17, in the Independent Living Chapel at Fountain View Village; reception to follow in the adjoining Arts and Activities Room. No flowers, please.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church, Fountain View Village Arts and Activities Room, Extended Hands Food Bank or Fountain Hills Senior Center.