Iylla A. (Haraldson) Larson, 77

]Iylla Larson, 77, of Columbia Falls, was born July 8, 1928, in Rose Dell Township, Minn., and died Sept. 30, 2005, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

Iylla married Ralph "Rusty" Larson on Nov. 29, 1947, in Jasper, Minn. They moved to Montana in 1952 and raised their family in the Martin City and Columbia Falls area.

Iylla was a devoted loving mother to her four children. Her door was always open to family and friends, and she was known by everyone for her wonderful holiday get-togethers.

Iylla retired from the B & B Food Store in Columbia Falls.

In 1993, Ralph and Iylla hosted a family reunion that will always be treasured by everyone who attended.

She was active in civic organizations, bowling and tried to never miss a school function involving her children or grandchildren. She loved camping, gardening, crocheting, fishing and traveling, and she just plain loved life and everything it had to offer.

She recently cruised to Europe with her daughters and saw the country of her heritage -- Norway.

Iylla is survived by her four children, Duane and his wife, Jan, of Missoula, Barbara Sward of Springfield, Ore., Steven of Columbia Falls, and Karen Lawson and husband, Jerry, of Columbia Falls; seven grandchildren, Lindsey, Abby, Jeff, Cindy, James, Chris and Bobby; and five great-grandchildren; her mother, Clara Haraldson (101 years young), of Ihlen, Minn.; her brothers, Vern, Jim and Gene; and her sisters, Marion and Linda.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph "Rusty" Larson; her father, Ole Haraldson; her brother, Clarence; and her son-in-law, Bob Sward.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Friday, Oct. 7, at Columbia Mortuary. A memorial service will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.

Internment will be at Glacier Memorial Gardens, with arrangements under the direction of Columbia Mortuary.

Donations may be made to the Wildcat Endowment Fund or the American Cancer Society.