Jeanette "Jeanie" Elizabeth Detweiler Larson, BHS '60 (1942-2014)

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Larson family...





Jeanette “Jeanie” Elizabeth Larson
May 25, 1942 - September 19, 2014

Jeanie Larson passed away unexpectedly at her family home in Burbank, California on September 19, 2014. She was looking forward to returning to an active life after having partial knee replacement surgery when a postoperative complication caused her untimely death. Her entire family is deeply mourning her loss, yet knowing Jeanie would want them to celebrate the life that she so joyfully embraced, surrounded by the love of family, friends, and community.

Jeanette Elizabeth Detweiler was born on May 25, 1942, in Lansing, Michigan to Dorothy Elizabeth Wiebe and James Irvin Detweiler. Jeanie grew up in Burbank with her two brothers, Douglas and Richard, attending Brett Hart and Providencia elementary schools, John Muir Junior High School, and Burbank High School (Class of 1960). As a youth she was involved in various school activities, the First United Methodist Church, and the Burbank Chapter of National Charity League, of which she was a founding member.

After high school, Jeanie attended California Western University, and the University of Redlands where she met the love of her life William “Bill” Larson, college roommate of her brother Doug. Jeanie and Bill married in 1962, starting their married life in on-campus barracks housing. After college, they moved to Long Beach, returning to Burbank where they raised three children, Michael, Shaunna, and Stephanie.

With a bachelor’s degree and teaching credential, Jeanie taught briefly and then turned her full attention to her growing family, friends and community. She was known for her positive personality, sparkling sky blue eyes and radiant smile. Jeanie cared deeply about everyone she knew and spread her positive energy wherever she went. Raised with a strong desire to help others, she spent her life offering her smile and help to those around her. Jeanie was proud to be a member of P.E.O., a women’s organization dedicated to raising money for women’s education and National Charity League, which she was thrilled to have shared with her mother and daughters. A businesswoman at heart, she used her skills to successfully guide the family property management business.

Married to Bill for 52 years, her family was her most cherished life achievement. She and Bill were delighted to celebrate their fiftieth anniversary with their children and grandchildren on a safari to Africa.

She enjoyed traveling the world with her husband, family and friends. Her family includes her children: Michael Larson (Melinda) of Palm Desert, Shaunna Raab (Michael) of Burbank, and Stephanie Larson of Burbank, grandchildren: Shea and Danica Larson, Zane and Cassandra Raab, and Natalia and Aaron Ortiz. Her brothers, Doug (Ingrid) and Rick (Carol), now live in Massachusetts and Michigan.

We will be celebrating the life of Jeanie Larson on Saturday, October 4th, 2014, at 1:30 PM at the Burbank First United Methodist Church, 700 North Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, California 91502. Her family invites you to join them, bringing your joyful memories with you.

Jeanie’s family has chosen two memorials close to her heart. A “P.E.O. Star Scholarship,” supporting young women entering college, will be named in her memory (P.E.O. c/o 3113 N. Naomi Street, Burbank, CA 91504). Contributions in her memory may also be made to the “Burbank First United Methodist Church” (700 North Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, California 91502).

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