Dorothy Murphy Larson  1908-1998

A Memorial Service for Dorothy E. Larson, 89, Seattle, Washington, was held Saturday, May 2, at Booney-Watson, Seattle.  Mrs. Larson passed away at her home Sunday, April 26, 1998.

Dorothy Murphy was born Sept. 20, 1908, near Reliance, SD, the youngest of seven children. Her family farmed a small acreage they purchased from the original homesteader.  She revelled in the outdoors and became a skilled athlete and horsewoman, which later developed into a life-long affection and respect for animals.  

She graduated from Reliance High School and attended teacher's college.  She taught in a one-room schoolhouse for one year near White River, living in a remote teacherage

Dorothy became a licensed hairdresser in Chamberlain and practiced this profession her entire working life (until her late 70's) sometimes even when doing other fulltime work.

She married Donald Larson in Brookings just before World War II.  He was later stationed on the west coast and Dorothy moved to San Francisco.  She worked  at Kaiser Shipyards in Portland, Oregon.  After the war, Don worked for The Vetran's Administration, which took them to Bend, Oregon, and Seattle.  Dorothy operated hairdressing salon's in these cities, operating Dorothy's Hairstyling Salon in Seattle for 25 years.

Dorothy was astonishingly athletic, cheerful and a generous person.  She helped numerous relatives establish themselves in the Seattle area.  She provided selfless and loving care for her mother, Sarah Murphy, 12 years prior to Sarah's death in 1972. 

Dorothy is survivrd by Stanley Nissen (nephew), Reliance, and Irene Cullen (niece) of Chamberlain.