Katherine E. "Kay" Larson, 88, of Rock Island, passed away Sunday, March 13, 2022, at Silver Cross Nursing at Friendship Manor, Rock Island. Per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island is assisting with arrangements. Private inurnment will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, Rock Island.

Kay was born on March 3, 1934, in Rothsay, Minnesota, a daughter of Rev. Oscar E. and Minnie K. (Nelson) Ekstrom. Kay received a Bachelor of Science degree from Sterling College in Kansas and a Master's degree in Economics from Kansas State University. She married Dr. Ingemar W. Larson on August 18, 1962 at First Baptist Church in Sterling, Kansas. He preceded her in death on March 1, 2011. Kay taught at Alleman Catholic High School in Rock Island for many years. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Rock Island and Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA). Kay enjoyed playing the piano and organ, sewing, cooking, baking, doing crossword puzzles, and was a fierce competitor of Scrabble games with family.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sister and brother-in-law, Edith "Edie" and Robert "Bob" Foree of Leawood, Kansas, along with several nieces and nephews.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother, George Ekstrom; and sisters, Marie Cancemi and Ruth Van Arsdale.

First Lutheran Church
1600 20th Street, Rock Island IL 61201
Tel: 1-309-788-9661