Alta Larson

Alta Alveretta Schaefer was born April 6, 1914 on the family farm in rural Madelia to parents Edwin and Anna (Sosinski) Schaefer. She grew up in the Lewisville area where she attended rural school and then high school at Madelia. She was united in marriage to Edwin Wojahn in 1931. The couple owned and operated the Roerig Hardware Store until Edwin's death in 1945. Alta then operated the Kozy Kurl Beauty Shop in Lewisville for several years. In 1949 she was united in marriage to Lester Larson. Alta continued to operate her beauty shop from her home and in 1952 the couple began farming in the Lewisville area. They continued farming until their retirement in 1982, they moved into St. James in 2003. Alta was active in the Lewisville American Legion Auxiliary, Lewisville study group, and Zion Lutheran Church where she had been in the alter guild, Sunday school teacher and church organist. She loved baking and decorating cakes, tending her garden, painting, bowling and traveling. She and Lester had wintered in Mesa, AZ for 24 years. Alta loved her family, and she took great pride in her grandchildren and their activities. Alta Larson passed away on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at the Madelia Community Hospital at the age of 93. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Mabel and brothers Irvin and Edwin. She is survived by her husband Lester Larson of St. James, daughter and son-in-law Betty Ann and Bob Hedstrom of Wadena, brother Byron (Marie) Schaefer of Lewisville, grandchildren Robin Jensen of Orlando, FL, Stephanie Hedstrom and special friend Frances Wagner of Albuquerque, NM, Shelly (Kim) Hohenstein of Lakefield, great-grandchildren Alex and Nolan Hohenstein of Lakefield and several nieces and nephews.