Helen (Cox) Larson

Helen (Cox) Larson, 87, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away on March 19, 2019. Ms. Larson was born on October 11, 1931 in Sioux City, Iowa to Harriett (Eberly) and Arthur “Jack” Cox. Jack worked for Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph and the family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1932.

Helen graduated from Lincoln High School and moved to Des Moines, Iowa and worked for Gerber Baby Food, Urban Suburban Realty, General Growth Properties, and finally at the Iowa Wholesale Beer Distributors Association. She became the Executive Director for the Beer Wholesalers where she worked with more than 200 distributors across the state of Iowa. Helen represented them as a registered lobbyist in Washington DC, and with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. She retired from the Beer Wholesalers in 1994. Always believing that women could do anything they wanted to, she took flying lessons in the 1950’s but never earned her pilot’s license.

Helen married Virgil Eugene Larson in 1954 in Des Moines, Iowa. She loved being a housewife and raising her kids. Unfortunately, in 1961, Polly Sue was stillborn, but resulted in Helen enrolling in a clinical trial that eventually solved the problem of pregnancies of non-compatible bloodtypes (RhoGAM). Helen divorced in 1979 and never remarried. Upon retirement in 1994, Helen moved back to Lincoln, Nebraska to be with her sister, Thelma. In 2005, she moved to Kansas City to be an active part of the lives of her grandkids.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Julie Larson of Kansas City, Missouri; son, Virgil Larson II (Barbara) also of Kansas City, Missouri; granddaughter, Heather and James Campbell; grandson, Chad Larson; grandson, Eric and Danielle Larson; eight great-grandchildren: Jordan Kennedy, Tori Scanlon, Samantha Campbell, Seth Larson, Karerra Meza, Jenny Campbell, Ethan Larson, Shelby Larson; niece Jolene (Inbody) Schlichenmaier and nephew Rick Inbody, both of Lincoln, Nebraksa; dear friends Anita Thomas, Ray McHenry Jr., Gautam and Rachel Sarath; “adopted” children Dr. Sally Ling and Dr. Mark.

She is predeceased by her parents, sister Thelma Viola Inbody, and her dear Polly.

Always in our hearts, GGma. Love you bunches.

Donations may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice House, 3516 Summit St., KCMO 64111 or Armour Oaks, 8100 Wornall, KCMO 64114.

No service, private interment Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Lincoln NE.

Condolences

  1. Sara Martin on March 19, 2019 at 11:10 am

    Dear B&V and Julie,
    You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. She was a wonderful person. I’m so happy that I got to know her.
    Peace be with all if you.
    Sara



  2. RICK INBODY on March 19, 2019 at 4:11 pm

    With my love and sympathy.

    Words can’t wipe away your tears. Hugs won’t ease your pain. But hold on to your memories. They will remain forever.
    A family is a circle of love, not broken by a loss, but made stronger by the memories. We are forever blessed that God connected us to Helen.
    What we have once enjoyed we can never lose; all that we deeply love becomes a part of us



  3. Ellen Pringnitz Verlo on March 19, 2019 at 7:02 pm

    Please accept my deepest sympathies after the loss of Helen. I have known Helen most of my adult life. She has always been the picture of a strong confident woman who doesn’t back down. She has been such a wonderful part of her children’s, grand children’s and great grandchildren’s lives. May your best memories of Helen be what helps you in this difficult time.



  4. Dean and Donna. on March 19, 2019 at 7:11 pm

    Dear Virgil and Barb —all your family. We extend out deepest sympathy in the passing of your Dear Mother Our prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. Dean and Donna Larsen. Some of your Iowa relatives.



  5. June Pringnitz on March 20, 2019 at 10:34 am

    Virgil and family, please accept my prayers and sympathy. She was a very strong lady and a model for all her family. May she rest in pease and know she is not alone. All my love and condolences. June Pringnitz.



  6. Rick Goldsby on March 20, 2019 at 2:15 pm

    I remember Helen real well, always had a smile on her face and always welcoming and a little spunky. It could be a little entertaining visiting her and Thelma as they didn’t always agree on things. It was good that they got to spend those years together. Memories last a lifetime! Real sorry for your loss.



  7. Friends at First Consulting on March 20, 2019 at 3:05 pm

    Our condolences to your family. You are in our thoughts and in our prayers.



  8. Jolene Schlichenmaier on March 22, 2019 at 6:03 pm

    Dear Virgil, Barb, Julie. & Family,
    I am so sorry to hear about Aunt Helen.
    She was always so special to me! I have so many wonderful memories of Aunt Helen! She will always have a special place in my heart!
    Hold on to all your wonderful memories of her! That will help to get through this time!
    My thoughts & prayers are with all of you at this time!
    Love & Blessings,
    Jolene



  9. Gautam and Rachel on March 23, 2019 at 8:26 pm

    Dear Julie and Virgil and all the rest of your families. Helen and Thelma are so forever a part of us. We loved them whole heartedly and they and all of you returned it. There are so many many wonderful memories of sitting in the porch on S street. A truly remarkable woman. We will miss her dearly and can never thank you all enough of welcoming us into all your lives. Distance and time will never dull our love for all of you. I am going to get a B&B and toast her in heaven tomorrow. Our love and thoughts to you all on losing Helen.



  10. Williams Family on March 25, 2019 at 7:35 pm

    Condolences to the family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. Psalms 147:3 says God, “heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds.” May God bring you comfort and peace.



  11. Judy Gardner on April 3, 2019 at 10:04 am

    It was with sadness that I learned of Helen’s death. I had lost touch with her after she moved to Kansas City, and always thought that I would get down there to see her, but sadly it never happened. I remember with joy the times I stopped in Lincoln on my way to Denver to see one of my sons. We lingered on the porch over a B&B many an evening.

    Helen’s office was next door to mine in the hotel. We often enjoyed lunch together, and we grew to be close friends. We enjoyed our road trips around Iowa, and I was especially glad that I could share some of my favorite spots in Iowa with her. She was a favorite traveling companion to me.

    I know you will miss her, but you can take solace in having her as a part of your lives for so many years. Peace be with you.

    Judy Dierenfeld Gardner



  12. Christina Andersson on December 13, 2020 at 8:48 am

    Dear Julie and Virgil II,
    My deepest sympathies for the loss of your mother Helen. I had the opportunity to get to know her through your families’ hospitality when I stayed with you during the years 1979-1980 in Des Moines, Iowa. We lost contact and I have since tried to get hold of you but have previously failed. Helen was a strong and powerful lady and I am happy I was given the opportunity to get to know her. I miss you all very much. God bless you, Psalms 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
    Yours sincerely,
    Christina Andersson (née Ohlsson), Stockholm, Sweden



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