In Memory of Wanda R. Larson

Wanda Rozella Larson, age 91, of Kiron, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at her residence of Kiron, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Kiron, Iowa. Pastor Wayne Stowers and Pastor Billy Bergman will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Kiron Cemetery in Kiron, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, May 29, 2026, at the First Baptist Youth Center at 14 N Grove Street, Kiron, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Elmer and Alta (Kuns) Holland welcomed their daughter, Wanda Rozella, into the world on March 5, 1935 in Forest City, Iowa, at just 3 lbs. and 14 oz. Always a farm girl, Wanda helped milk cows, tend the garden, and manage household chores as a child. She fondly recalled sewing with her mother and singing while washing dishes with her mom and sisters. When her father was injured during her high school years, she stepped up to assist her brother Bob in the field.

In Wanda's words, her parents instilled in her a deep respect for honesty, hard work, learning from elders, and using her God-given abilities. They taught her that singing was a ministry, school was a privilege, music was a daily pleasure, and Christian living was a responsibility.

Wanda attended country school through 8th grade, and graduated from Forest City High School, where she was involved in many music and church activities. She went on to attend Northwestern Bible College in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was during college that she met her future husband, Lewellyn, at a youth camp. Their first date was to a Sunday evening church service. In Wanda’s own words, Lewellyn was fun, handsome, a beautiful tenor singer, and—most importantly—a committed Christian. A few months later, while driving by the farm that would soon become their own, he proposed by asking, "How would you like to live here?"

Married on March 18, 1955, they built a beautiful life together on that farm, centered around the values most important to them: faith, family, farming, and community. They were blessed with four sons: Clayton Lewellyn, Curtis LeRoy, Conwell Lee, and Chad Lyndon.

Wanda’s warmth and hospitality, paired with Lewellyn’s gift for entertaining, made their home a place where family and friends always felt welcome. Wanda was a gifted cook, and there was always plenty of good food and conversation to go around. Red velvet cake, lemon angel torte, raisin cream pie, and Swedish meatballs were among her specialties, always served on her beautiful selection of glassware and dishes. In later years, she started the tradition of Saturday morning pancakes, which brought her family together in her kitchen each weekend up until her death.

Wanda found great joy in singing, sewing, quilting, and baking, and her favorite color, red, brightened many aspects of her life. She had a special talent for making ordinary things beautiful. Whether it was a thoughtfully wrapped gift, an elegant table setting, or lovely decor for church events and Christian Women’s Club meetings, she always found a way to add a special touch. As a seamstress she tailored many dresses for The Lundstroms that they wore during their nationwide gospel crusades. She and Lewellyn also treasured the many bus trips they enjoyed with dear friends over the years.

Her faith was the steady center of her life. Wanda sought to put Jesus first in all things, reading and studying her Bible daily and striving to live out its teachings. She and Lewellyn were faithful members of the Kiron Baptist Church, and their life centered around serving the church in numerous ways. The church remained the spiritual foundation and heartbeat of their family, and together they leave behind a rich legacy of faith.

Wanda went peacefully home to her Lord and Savior just before dawn on May 26, 2026. In God's perfect timing, "I'll Meet You In The Morning" was one of the last songs the family sang to her, and a favorite sung by Lewellyn and the boys.

Wanda is survived by her children: Clayton and Kathy Larson of Odebolt; Curtis and Kim Larson of Arthur; Conwell and Sheryl Larson of Kiron; Chad and Wendy Larson of Odebolt; sister-in-law Roby Larson; her grandchildren: Danna, David, Janice, Peter, Ashley, Chelsea, Mike, Tom, Brittany, Nick, Jake, and Katelyn; eighteen great grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.

Welcoming her into eternal life are her beloved husband of 53 years, Lewellyn; parents Elmer and Alta; siblings Darlene (Stanley) Markson, Patsy "Norma" (Farrell) Reese, and Bob (Carmen) Holland; brothers-in-law John Wes Larson and LeRoy Larson; and sisters-in-law Elaine Larson and Lucille Larson.