Margaret Larsen, 88, of Cedar Falls, formerly of Hudson, died Friday, January 17, 2003, at the Cedar Falls Western Home Communities of natural causes. She was born April 17, 1914, in Onawa, daughter of John and Minnie Fletcher Messing. She married Victor Larsen in 1942, and he preceded her in death. She graduated from Morningside College in 1936 and received her master's in music from Northwestern University in 1939. She began her teaching career at Lake Park Schools. She then came to the area to coordinate student teachers for what was then Iowa State Teachers College. Mrs. Larsen was a music teacher for Hudson Schools, music methods instructor at UNI, led the River Hills School bell choir, and taught private piano and organ lessons. She accompanied at area schools, churches, and Americana Health Care Center, and she was choir director and organist for Hudson Community Church. She was active in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Community Playhouse and Symphony Orchestra Guild, Metropolitan Chorale, Iowa Music Educators Association, Friendship Village Chorus, and Cedar Arts Forum. Also, Friends of KUNI, Iowa Council for Older Iowans, Western Home Tone Chime Choir, and Hudson American Legion Auxiliary. She was honored by the mayors of Waterloo and Hudson and received the Governor's Volunteer Award in 1993. Survived by: two sons, Donald J. (Enid) of San Diego, California, and Leonard V. (Mary Jo) of Ames; a daughter, Elaine Dalrymple of Cedar Falls; a son-in-law, Don Urban of Waterloo; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by: her parents; her husband; a son, Marvin Dean; and a daughter, Christine M. Urban. Memorial services: 1:30 p.m. Monday at Community Church of Hudson. Her body was donated to the University of Iowa, Iowa City. Friends may call for an hour before services Monday at the church. Locke Funeral Home, Waterloo, is in charge of arrangements. A music memorial fund will be established. Copyright Waterloo Courier, January 19, 2003, page B4.
