Wilda Maria Larson

Minnetonka Beach - age 94, of Minnetonka Beach, Minnesota, strolled into heaven barefoot, just as she preferred when she walked the beach. She may have stopped to look back and admire the beauty on her way through the pearly gates. Certainly she was met with much celebration by old friends, family and the strangers she gave kindness to here on earth. Undoubtedly she heard, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Born in1931, in Bee Spring, Kentucky, Wendy spent her youth in a two bedroom home without running water, electricity or indoor plumbing with her parents, Ethel and Willie, and her five siblings: Ruby, Faith, Dewey, Geraldine and James Elwood. She walked over a mile to Kyrock School where she graduated in the top of her class of nine. She maintained an uncompromising standard for grammar and could recite by memory dozens of poems. She left Bee Spring to attend evening classes at the University of Louisville and work as an executive secretary at Reynolds Aluminum. The 1957 Louisville Courier Journal featured Wendy and her two roommates, these small town farm girls who were happily settled in the big city. When asked about their living arrangements, Wendy explained that they shared the cooking and told the reporter, "We have three maids - us." It was in 1956 that Richard Larson, traveling cross country, approached a fork in the road after crossing the K&I Bridge. He made the providential decision to head toward Louisville and Reynolds Aluminum where he landed a job, Wendy's heart and a lifetime of happiness. Raised in the church, Wendy knew the teachings of the Bible and winnowed them down to two commands: love God with all of your heart and then in turn, love your neighbor, every one of them. She delivered meals to sick friends and brought their laundry home to clean and press. She made a friend of every store clerk and threw open the door inviting you in if you knocked. She made TV night cozy with popcorn balls and peach cobbler. When she said bless your heart, she meant it. As her children set out on their own, she wallpapered their bedroom walls, sewed quilts for the beds and curtains for the windows. While holding a baby she could whip up a meatloaf, green beans and mashed potatoes. Her melodic southern chatter and the Minnesota Twins broadcast spilled out of her kitchen. She weeded, planted and tended her beautiful gardens and raked the thousands of leaves that covered her large yard. Her energy was boundless. A twinkle in her eye, she loved a good joke. The sound of laughter from her quilting circle, book club, gourmet group and bible study still echoes from the dining room. What a world it would be if we could all be more like Wendy. Wendy is survived by her cherished husband of 69 years, Richard Larson; her children, David Larson (Julie); Robert Larson (Charlene); Jenny Schulenberg (Tom); Carrie Davis (Micheal); and her grandchildren, Maria Larson; Vanessa Larson; Lily Lunt (Sam); Henry Schulenberg; Sam Schulenberg (Anna); Rachel Davis (Markus); Amanda Davis; Grant Davis, and two great grandchildren Charlie (little britches) and Teddy (little bugger) Lunt. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, July 27th at Westwood Community Church in Chanhassen. In memory of Wendy's lifelong commitment to loving and helping children, the family suggests memorial donations to Community Partners With Youth (CPY) to support local after-school and summer programs. www.Washburn-Mcreavy.com

Wilda Maria Larson

October 16, 1931 - July 14, 2026

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