Pauline M. Larsen was born on April 12, 1917 in Frederic, Wisconsin the daughter of George and Essie Huser. She grew up in the Clam Falls, Indian Creek area. She was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist faith. After completing high school she attended Polk County Normal School to get her teaching certificate. She initially taught at the Pine Grove School and later was a substitute teacher in Milltown. She was united in marriage at the Milltown Lutheran Church to Raymond C. Larsen on May 7, 1939. They lived in Milltown for a time and then moved to Chicago, IL. When Ray was drafted into the service Pauline moved home to Milltown. He returned from the service and they remained in Milltown until 1947 when they moved to Amery, Wisconsin. Besides raising her four children Pauline also held several jobs during her lifetime. She worked at the Cornwall Medical Clinic, Lakeside Canning Factory, was a cafeteria supervisor at the Amery High School and was part of a food catering service with friends Lila Ward and Erma Marquand. Pauline was also active in the community. She was part of the original Amery Community Theatre, the neighborhood coffee group known as the "Sudsers", Amery Golf Club and VFW Auxiliary, bridge club and Kelso Birthday Club to name a few. She was also the poet laureate for the family; writing many interesting poetic stories about life in and around Amery. Pauline was known for her cooking and baking abilities. She made great homemade bread, "Butterscotch Pie", cookies for the guys at Chets and cinnamon rolls. Pauline always
enjoyed hosting an open house for Groundhogs day. In 2006 radio host Cary Dean dubbed her "The Old Bag", but she much preferred to be the "The Bag Lady".
Pauline eventually left her home on South Street and moved to Evergreen Village. She has been at Golden Age Manor since May of 2010, where she died on Sunday, August 14, 2011 at the age of 94 years. Her husband Ray and all her siblings preceded her in death. Left to mourn are her son Michael (Leslie) Larsen; daughters: Kay Erickson, Paula (Bob) Tews and Chris (Russ) Paulson; grandchildren: Mark (Lezlie) Erickson, Melissa (Joel) Kamp, Andrew Larsen, Jonathan Larsen, Erin (Wes) Wolfe, Meghann (Nathan) Crowe, Ben (Josie) Paulson and Michael Paulson; great grandchildren: Spencer, Libby, Jannes, Margaret, Aiden, Jack, Lila, Jacob, Carter, Jameson, Bennett, and Liam as well as other relatives and friends.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Amery. There will be a visitation for the hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Amery Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Polk County Salvation Army or Polk County Interfaith Caregivers.