Obituary of Mary Josephine Larsen

Mary Josephine Larsen
Pine Bush, NY

Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother, Mary Josephine "Josse" Larsen (nee Monsen) was called home by our Lord and peacefully journeyed to her heavenly home on August 20, 2024 at the age of 95.

Mary was born in Stavanger, Norway on August 7th, 1929 to Georg and Martha Monsen (nee Kvilhaug). She spent her childhood and teenage years in Stavanger with her parents and older brother, Tor, along with a close and extended family nearby. Her childhood was marred by WWII, as Norway was occupied by Nazi Germany for 5 years, which brought many hardships and anxiety to her and her family.

As a teenager, she lovingly took care of her ailing mother for several years. A gifted seamstress, she often designed and made her own clothes, even making her own patterns. She worked at a nursery school, and a maternity hospital. Josse was a member of the Norwegian State Church where she was baptized and confirmed. She attended Bibelskolen (Bible School) in Oslo and was a member of The Salvation Army.

She met her future husband, Per W. Larsen, a minister, in Stavanger and they became engaged in 1952. In 1953 she traveled to Brooklyn, NY to join her fiancé who had moved there previously. They were married in 59th Street Lutheran Brethren Church on October 10th, 1953. From there they journeyed to San Francisco, CA where Per served as an assistant Minister at the Norwegian Seamen's Church, and where their daughter, Grace was born. They thoroughly enjoyed their time there and were very involved in the congregation. In 1956 they returned to Norway where Rev. Larsen pastored a Lutheran "Frikirken" congregation in Sondeled for 4 years and then in Sarpsborg for another 4. Their daughter, Wenche was born during their time in Sondeled and their son, Per Rune was born in Sarpsborg.

In 1964, Josse and Per together with their family, returned to Brooklyn where Per pastored the Norwegian Department at 59th Street Lutheran Brethren Church for many years, eventually becoming the pastor of the English Department. It was a large and active congregation and Josse was very involved in the ministry of the church. She also enjoyed welcoming members and visitors into their home for dinner or coffee, or a "fest" from time to time.

Their great heartbreak was when their son, Per Rune passed away from cancer in 1987.

Her loving and devoted husband, Per, passed away in 2005.

She loved everything about Brooklyn! The shops, the restaurants and the hustle and bustle of "The City" (Manhattan) where she enjoyed traveling to for shopping, sightseeing and lunch with friends.

During their time in Brooklyn, Josse attended the N.Y. School of Visual Arts and became a talented and gifted artist. Painting beautiful art pieces became a passion of hers. She was also an expert knitter, and her 4 grandchildren were gifted with beautiful outfits when they were young.

In 2020 during the pandemic, she moved upstate to Pine Bush, NY to be closer to her family. She missed Brooklyn and her life there, but embraced being close to her family. She especially enjoyed car trips to nearby New Paltz where she enjoyed browsing for antiques.

She enjoyed posting on Facebook and loved hearing from all her family and friends, as well as keeping up with their lives through photos and messages. Flowers were a passion of hers and she brightened many a day with her cheerful photos and posts.

She lived her life in constant communion with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and was an avid Bible reader and prayer warrior.

She is survived by her daughters, Grace Engler (Albert) and Wenche Widmark (Todd), grandchildren, Tabitha Mallory (Ian), Jason Mallory (Giselda), Tore Dyvik (Jennifer) and Sarah Adams (Jack), as well as her great-grandchildren, Leyla, Elliot and Erik. Also, her extended family in Norway, sister-in law, Liv, cousins, and many nieces and nephews.

Josse will be dearly missed. We are blessed and grateful for the many wonderful memories we will cherish as she is laid to rest.

Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, September 8th at 11:00 AM at Mountainview Methodist Church, 3641 State Route 52, Walker Valley, N.Y. 12588.

Burial will be Monday, September 9th at 12:00 PM at Ocean View Cemetery, 3315 Amboy Rd, Staten Island, N.Y. 10306.

Funeral arrangements by William A. Gagan Funeral Home, 1525 Burlingham Rd, Pine Bush, N.Y. 12566. (845) 744-6008.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Per Rune Larsen Scholarship Fund which was dear to Josse's heart:

https://www.tuscarora.org/larsen