Margaret Larsen

Margaret Sanders Larsen left this world on Friday, April 15, 2016 after a full, productive and musical life. She was born August 25, 1918 in Clarksdale, MO to parents Frank and Luella Lewis Mauze. A year and a half later, Margaret's family moved to Stewartsville, MO where they farmed and Margaret began her musical career as a vocalist and pianist, singing her first duet by the age of six. At age eleven the family moved to St. Joseph, attending Central High School where she was very active in both music and sports. After graduation in 1936, Margaret attended Graceland College graduating in 1938. At Graceland she was a member of the Graceland acapella choir and was given the honor of being selected a "Crescent" for two years. While working for the IRS in 1951 in Kansas City, Margaret met and married George Sanders. She continued to work for the government and was an original staff member for the Truman Library, meeting President Truman and other dignitaries often. Margaret continued to be actively involved both publicly and in her church serving as Music Club President, Director of Stone Church Choir, Messiah Choir Member, and Director of West College Choir. Margaret lost her companion George in 1975 but kept busy as an art teacher and pianist. She became interested in travel and learning the special customs of other nations as she visited Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Holland, Yugoslavia, France Germany, Austria, Wales and Canada. In December 1995, Margaret and long time friend Edward Larsen were united in Marriage. Ed passed away in May 1997. Margaret sold her home on North River Street in 2005, moving to retire at The Fountains where she remained until her health declined in the spring of 2015 and became a resident at The Groves in Independence. Music and art kept her young as she shared her love of God with all she knew until the end. Though Margaret never had her own biological children, she was blessed with a wonderful Larsen stepfamily: sons Fred(Mary Lou) Larsen, Steve (Donna) Larsen, Pete (Mary) Larsen, Dan (Rose)Larsen, Zeke (Anita) Larsen, and daughter Nina Luff ; grandchildren Linda (Pat) Hardin, Luann Cunningham, Brian (Bunny) Larsen, and Larry (Shannon) Larsen and Steve Larsen; granddaughter-in-law Debbie as well as many wonderful greatgrandchildren and great greatgrandchildren. She is also survived by her cousin Gayle Suydam and her beloved "adopted" daughter and granddaughter, Nelda (Rich) Sorenson and Monica (Chris) Casey of Pensacola, Florida. Visitation will be from 6-8pm, Monday, April 18, 2016 at Speaks Suburban Chapel. Funeral services will be 10am Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at the First Branch Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at 2820 S. 291 Highway Outer Road, Independence, MO. Burial will follow at Mound Grove Cemetery.