Gladys Larson, age 95, of Huron and formerly of Wessington, passed away on Monday, February 6, 2023 at Avantara Huron in Huron. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 11 at 1:00 PM at Welter Funeral Home in Huron with burial at Wessington Cemetery in Wessington. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday.

Gladys Lorraine Dorsey was born on October 22, 1927 to parents A.A. and Clara Mae (Goddard) Dorsey in Lindsay, Nebraska. The family lived in Gettysburg and Onida, SD. In 1933, Gladys' mother passed away and Gladys lived in several foster homes including the children's home in Brookings. She attended grade school in Onida, Whitewood, Vale, Brookings, and Huron. She attended high school in Rapid City and Huron, graduating from Huron in 1946. Gladys took summer terms at Brookings State College and Spearfish Teacher's College. She also attended Northwest Bible College in Seattle, WA. Gladys taught rural schools for five years in Nance Township, Beadle County. She also taught kindergarten for two spring sessions in Wessington.

Gladys married Willard Lee Larson on June 8, 1952 in Huron. To this union, three daughters were born. Gladys and Willard "Ole" farmed for 48 years in Nance Township in Beadle County on the Larson Family Farm that was built by Ole's grandfather.

Gladys had a strong faith and taught Sunday School and bible studies for many years. She also led friendship bible coffees. Beginning in 2003, Gladys was a volunteer instructor for Crossroad Bible Institute Prison Ministries for 13 years. She was also a gifted artist and poet. She enjoyed doing artwork for school, churches, organizations, communities and individuals. She won first place awards for sewing photography and paintings at the South Dakota State Fair. She won Best in Show Award for a watercolor painting at the 1955 SD State Fair. Her poems were published for many years in South Dakota Pasque Petals Poetry Magazine and Periodicals. They also appeared in three SD Anthologies as well as her own collections of poems, Dakota Diary. She was active in many organizations including DAR, General Federated Women's Club, Sunshine Mixers Extension Club, Turtle Creek Ladies Aid, Colonial Dames as well as serving on election boards.

She is survived by her daughters; Lauri Lee Larson (Erald Johnson) of Huron, Jean Larson of Huron, and Lisa (Denoy) Smith of Hastings, NE; four grandchildren, Josh (Hannah) Keating, Amanda (Chris Fonder) Ramirez, Mollie Keating, and Ryan (Dezirea Erickson) Keating; great-grandchildren, Timothy, Samuel and Ana Grace Ramirez, Kylie and Wyatt Fonder, Olivia, Emma, and Cody Keating, and Davina Erickson; and her sister, Maeve Dorsey of Boise, ID.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Willard "Ole" in 2001; her sister, Lois Follette; two nephews;  and several brothers and sisters-in-law.