Dorothy Ann Larsen

Dorothy Ann Larsen, 88, died from a stroke on Jan. 2, 2009.

Dorothy was born in Aberdeen, S.D., on April 17, 1920. She attended Francis Shimer Finishing School in Illinois and Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She was honored by being named Queen of the Drake Relays.

She was an accomplished artist and a devoted student of the arts. Most significantly, she was a proud mother of three children and devoted in all her endeavors in raising her children with style and grace of love.

She lived in several communities in South Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. Dorothy settled with her family in Rockford, Ill., where she remained until her husband Tom was sent to the Netherlands on an assignment for Woodward Governor Co.

Dorothy traveled extensively throughout Europe, absorbing as much as she could at the museums and art galleries. She visited and took instruction in painting from noted artists in Amsterdam and The Hague.

Dorothy enjoyed painting portraits, animals and landscapes. Her finished canvasses are prized possessions of numerous collectors, family members and friends. She was also an avid gardener, and she served for many years in various leadership positions in local gardening societies until her physical limitations prevented her from doing so.

She was known for her quick wit, refreshing directness and determined resolve. Dorothy always said she had a beautiful picture of herself for her obituary. The picture was taken of her passing as a show girl in Las Vegas at age 75.

Dorothy had a great sense of humor, which most people enjoyed, and she will be remembered long after her death.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, Hans Emil Jensen and Gladys Helen Guildamann Jensen, and her husband of 40 years, Tom Larsen.

She is survived by her children Edward Ping, of Whitefish, Patricia Drexler, of Houston, Texas, and Scott Ping, of Whitefish; her grandchildren Brian Buscemi, of Houston Texas, and Kelly Ping, of Billings; and by her cousin Elsie Phillips, of Tucson Ariz.

Dorothy was laid in state at her son’s house in Whitefish, where a three-day celebration of her life and passing was held.