Mary Jane Larson

Life-long Fort Benton resident Mary Jane (Hotvedt) Warren Larson, 90, died October 8, from complications from a broken hip. She had been residing at Gallatin Valley Nursing Home in Bozeman after a fall in July. Her memorial service will be held on October 16th in Fort Benton at St. Paul#8217;s Episcopal Church at 1 pm followed by a grave side service. Cremation will take place prior to the service. Survivors include her children, Robert Warren of Bozeman, MT, Anthony (Roselee) Warren of Seattle, WA, Susan (John) Kirkman of Munster, IN and William (Erika) Larson of Bozeman, a brother Carlton Hotvedt of Butte, MT, sisters-in-law Mrs. Bertie Hotvedt of Manhattan, MT., Mrs. Marion Hotvedt of Helena, MT, 5 grandchildren; Jenna Kirkman North, Emily Kirkman, Robin Warren, Will and Erica Larson and two great grandchildren, Harrison and Maya North as well as many nieces and nephews. Mary Jane was born in Canada on the family farm near Val Marie on Dec 10th, 1917. The family moved to Saco, MT where her father owned the drug store. She grew up in Saco, and graduated from Saco (MT) High School in 1935 and from The University of Montana in 1939 with a degree in Education with a minor in Spanish. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. After a short time in Oregon and later Butte, she returned to Fort Benton with her two small sons where her father owned The Rexall Drug Store. Ellis Larson, formerly from Saco, came to Fort Benton to work in the drug store after his tour of duty in the Navy. Mary Jane married Ellis #8220;Lars#8221; May 10th, 1947 in Missoula. They later purchased the drug store from her father and renamed it Larson Pharmacy. Mary Jane, like all the family members, worked in the drug store from time to time. Mary Jane was a stay-at-home mom whose primary job was ensuring her children became productive adults. She was active in the Hospital Auxiliary, the St. Paul Episcopal Church Auxiliary, Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls, Home Demonstration Club and Garden Club and was a life-long bridge player and golfer. She substitute taught at the High School and did private tutoring as well as worked in the Thrift Shop. In later years she traveled the state on behalf of the Grey Hairs for AARP working on issues related to retirees. She love to travel and went to France with her daughter and granddaughter and to Spain with the Senior Citizens and a cruise with friends from Fort Benton. She was preceded in death by her husband Ellis Larson, her brothers Elmer and Jim Hotvedt, a sister Susan Hotvedt and grandchildren Greg and Amanda Kirkman. Memorials/donations are suggested to the charity of the donor#8217;s choice or to the St. Paul#8217;s Episcopal Church of Fort Benton, where she was a life- long member, at P.O. Box 463, Fort Benton, MT 59442.