Berneice Larson

Lifelong local resident Berneice I. Larson, 84, of Rosburg, WA, died peacefully at a Cathlamet care facility on October 27, 2007. She was born December 12, 1922 in Deep River, WA, one of six children born to August and Reeta (Loukkanens) Larson. She remembered well what a wonderful life she had growing up in Deep River. She attended grade school in Deep River, graduated from Naselle High School in 1939 and later attended Behnke Walker Business College in Portland. She was twelve years old when she entered high school, and two years ahead of her in school was another Rosburg resident Sidney Larson. Berneice "had an eye on him" from the beginning. In her senior year she and Sidney began dating and on May 17, 1942 they were married. Earlier that year Sidney had enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During Sidney's enlistment Berneice worked for the Mantel Lamp Co and later for the Army at the Port of Embarkation in Portland. Following the war she returned to Rosburg where she became a fulltime mother and homemaker, raising four wonderful children. Berneice was known for her baking, especially her cinnamon rolls and cardamom biscuit bread. She loved to read, enjoyed her flowers and garden, playing Scrabble and being involved in all the children and grandchildren's games and activities. A wonderful mother and grandmother, she loved the Lord and was a member of the Naselle Assembly of God Church, was active in the church Women's Ministries & Children's Church; a Rosburg Hall worker (Senior Citizens Dinners), local election board worker and census taker. Her beloved husband Sidney passed away on March 24, 2002. She is survived by children Jeannine (Harvey) Johnson of Naselle, WA, Neal (Jan) Larson of Mossyrock, WA, Jill Bush (Neil) Bush of Elma, WA and Jim (Julie) Larson of Rosburg, WA; eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Also proceeding her in death were her parents and siblings, brothers Roy Larson and Alvin Larson and sisters Hilda Lassela, Jennie Wirkkala and Ellen Olson. A Celebration of Life Service for Berneice will be held Saturday November 3, 2007 11:00 o'clock in the morning at the Naselle Assembly of God Church with Pastor Richard Cary officiating. A reception will follow at the church. Family graveside service will be held at Peaceful Hill Cemetery in Naselle. The family requests that donations be made to the Assembly of God Building Program, PO Box 26 Naselle, WA 98638 or the Alzheimer's Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60601. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach, WA and the online guestbook may be signed at www.penttilaschapel.com.