Big Bay––Patricia D. Larsen, 78, of Big Bay, entered eternal life Saturday morning, August 18, 2007, in the Hospice Suite located at Marquette General Hospital, in the comforting care of her family and the caregivers of Lake Superior Hospice.
Pat was born March 29, 1929, in Newberry, the daughter of Harry and Irene (Roth) Newman. She was raised in Newberry and was a 1947 graduate of the Newberry High School. Pat enrolled at Northern Michigan University where she pursued a course of study toward a teaching degree in physical education. It was at NMU that Pat met William C. Larsen and the couple started dating. On June 16, 1951, Bill and Pat received their bachelors degrees and, one hour following graduation, were united in marriage at St. Michael Catholic Church. Bill and Pat together established their home and raised their family in Marquette. Here, Pat began her career, teaching part-time at the Graveraet High School and Northern Michigan University, at the same time, continuing her education at NMU where she received her masters degree in physical education. Long before aerobics became popular, Pat taught weekly classes for women in exercise and volleyball at the Marquette Senior High School. Pat was employed by the Marquette Area Public Schools, at the Marquette Senior High School, as a girl’s physical education instructor for 21 years, retiring in 1984. In 1980, prior to their retirements, the couple purchased their retirement home on Lake Independence in Big Bay. Pat was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Big Bay where she formerly served as a lector. She also attended St. Michael Catholic Church in Marquette, was a member of the Michigan Education Association, the Richard Jopling American Legion Unit #44 Auxiliary, and the Lady Elks. She enjoyed family activities, being on the beach, walking, spending time at her home on Lake Independence, gardening, snowmobiling, painting in oil and water colors, and loved animals, especially dogs. Pat often reflected that her most enjoyable times were her teaching years, and she remembered her students and was always interested in the direction their lives had taken.
Survivors include her daughter, Barbara (Ron) Kauppila of Skandia; sons, Richard (Linda) Larsen of Marquette and Tim (Denise) Larsen of Green Bay, WI; her grandchildren, Caryn (Pete) Clements of Anchorage, AK, Chad (Shannon) Kauppila and William Larsen both of Marquette, and Ben Larsen of Pontiac; great-grandson, Hayden Kauppila of Marquette; her special friend and companion, Ty Coats of Marquette; sister-in-law, Fay Schulz of Slinger, WI; and nephews, Robb (Kathy) and Todd (Julia) Schulz both of Slinger, WI. In addition to her parents, Pat was preceded in death by her husband, William C. Larsen in 1987; and her brother, Richard Newman.
Friends may call at St. Michael Catholic Church on Tuesday, August 21, beginning at 11:30 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:00 pm with Rev. Lawrence Gauthier as celebrant. A dessert luncheon will be held in the St. Michael Parish Center. Burial will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery.