Dorothy Schade Larson, age 91, died Friday July 6, 2012 in Oakcrest Retirement Center, DeKalb, IL. Dorothy was born March 5, 1921 in Rochelle, IL the daughter of Theodore &Mary (Schick) Schade. She attended St. Patrick?s School and Rochelle Township High School graduating in 1938. Dorothy married Leon Larson in 1942, He Died March 2004. She attended Michael Reese Hospital School of Nursing where she worked as a surgical nurse until retiring to raise her children. She also attended Brigham Young University and was among the second class of certified nurse practitioners in the United States. Dorothy worked at Northern Illinois University Health Center as a nurse practitioner for over 17 years.

Dorothy was a member of St. Mary?s Church in DeKalb for over 65 years. During that time she organized dinners, flower & antique shows, and various projects to raise money for the building of Christ the Teacher Church on NIU?s campus. She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society for many years and was involved in the funeral luncheon group from its inception. She was a member of St. Mary?s Parish Council and served as a regent for the Catholic Daughters of America. She was active with Norte Dame Girls School activities and St. Mary?s School in DeKalb. She also served as a volunteer for DeKalb County Hospice, Hope Haven and Salvation Army Food Pantry.

Dorothy was a member of the Illinois Nursing Association, served as an officer in the professional women?s group, Zonta, and was an active member in the Lady Elks Lodge #765. She was a Cub Scout den mother, a 4H leader, a room mother for all five of her children, and started the first Girl Scouts troop at St. Mary?s School in DeKalb.

Dorothy was an avid traveler, bingo player, gambler and never passed up a good game of cards at Oakcrest where she resided for the past 18 months. Her greatest accomplishment was being a devoted mother, raising five successful children of whom she regarded as, "loving, considerate, responsible, understanding, and charitable." They gave her much joy and happiness along with her 11 grandchildren.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Margaret Nugent and Cathy Rader, her brother Theodore, a son-in-law, Tom Burch, and her daughter-in-law, Mary Siler Larson as well as many good friends. She is survived by her children Michael Larson of DeKalb, Susan Burch of Sugar Grove, Janet (Charles) Austin of Kansas City, Stephen (Barbara) Larson of Longwood, FL, and John (Donna) Larson of Sycamore. Her beloved grandchildren include Lee (Jane) Burch, Barbara (Daryl) Filkins, Shannon Burch, Jamie Pesek, Andrea Larson, Daniel (Andrea) Larson, Caitlin Austin, Jessica Austin, Jeffrey Larson, Michaela Larson, and Karsten Larson. She had six great grandsons, Michael Decker, Ian Decker, Syler Larson, Cayden Larson, Alex Burch, and Elliot Burch.

Funeral Service will by July 11, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. in St. Mary?s Catholic Church, DeKalb, IL with Father Kenneth Anderson officiating. Burial will be at later in St. Patrick?s Cemetery, Rochelle, IL. Visitation will be Tuesday July 10, 2012 from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. in Ronan- Moore- Finch Funeral Home. Wake prayers will be Tuesday 8:00 P.M.

Memorials directed to St. Patrick?s Cemetery, Rochelle, IL.

Service:
Wednesday July 11, 2012

10:00 A.M.

St. Mary?s Catholic Church, DeKalb, IL
Visitation:
Tuesday July 10, 2012

4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Ronan- Moore- Finch Funeral Home