Geraldine A. Larson

Geraldine Anne “Jerry” Larson , 96, of Mattoon, IL, formerly of Charleston and Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 3:20 a.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at Mattoon Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 12, 2024 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Shelbyville, IL, with Rev. Nathan Woolery officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to Holy Cross Lutheran Church Memorial Fund. Arrangements are by Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL.

Jerry was born on February 25, 1927 in Cincinnati, OH, the daughter of Carl and Martha (Risch) Liebig. Jerry became a Registered Nurse with the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps, and later received an Associate’s Degree in Science from Lake Land College in Mattoon, IL. She taught Medical Terminology to Court Reporters at Sparks Business College in Shelbyville. Jerry married Richard H. Larson, M.D. on September 7, 1946, and was a loving and devoted wife and mother. As their daughters (and granddaughters) were growing up, Dick and Jerry were their biggest fans and traveled great distances to cheer them on. Jerry enjoyed traveling internationally with her husband, but mostly enjoyed their excursions in their Cessna throughout the U.S.  She always said she had to be ready “just in case”, so she earned her private pilot’s license, and was even adventurous enough to take helicopter lessons.  She and Richard attended many sporting events throughout their lives, from Shelbyville sports teams to EIU Athletics. In her later years, she enjoyed visiting family in West Virginia and Cincinnati. Jerry was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Shelbyville, IL.

Jerry is survived by her daughter, Barbara J. Degler and husband Steve of Mattoon, IL; two grandchildren, Julia Degler of Mattoon, IL, and Samantha Barnes of Everett, WA; and two great grandchildren, Jacqueline Boyd Hetzel and husband Chris of Morton, IL, and Jacob Boyd of Mattoon, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard H. Larson, M.D. on March 27, 2013; daughter, Deborah L. Barnes and husband Gary; brother, Carl Liebig, M.D. (Jane); and sister, Vivian Early (Neal).