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Inez "Tootie" Larson, age 95, of Lemmon, SD, passed away on Tuesday evening, May 13, 2025 at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, SD.

Memorial services for Tootie will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Lemmon, SD.  Pastor Spencer Allen will officiate with burial to follow in the Greenhill Cemetery.

On May 13, 2025, Inez "Tootie" Larson entered her heavenly home.  She was greeted by The One who called her by name and had prepared a place for her.  We like to think that "Tootie" was the name recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life and her specially prepared place came with a card table and deck of cards.

Tootie Christman was born June 20, 1929.  She grew up on a farm northwest of Lemmon in a lively household with 11 siblings.  There, the laughter was loud and card games were serious business….until their Baptist mother caught them. The minute she heard the shuffle of a deck, it was revival time and those cards disappeared faster than you can say "Amen".  Still, the games went on and became a life long way of connecting. Tootie was the last remaining sibling.  She was preceded in death by Eddie, Alma, Ida, Herb, Martha, Elsie, Louise, Esther, Irene, Tuffy and Lester as well as her parents, John and Katie Christman. She was also preceded in death by her husband, John M. Larson, his parents, John L. and Amanda Larson, and a grandson, Luke Larson.

Tootie is now joyfully reunited with her beloved John who passed away in 2021. Their love was a testament to devotion and partnership. We take comfort in the thought of them together, smiling and whole in the presence of their Savior. John first spotted Tootie in the halls of Lemmon H.S. and his immediate remark was "not another Christman!" Still, something about Tootie stood out, and they were happily married for 69 years.

Tootie wore many hats.  She graduated as an RN from Bismarck School of Nursing. She loved to paint with oils and water colors. She sang alto in high school and church choirs. She was a softball pitcher and on a bowling team for many years. She killed a snake in her birthday suit which has made her a family legend. She was an excellent cook and was famous for her delicious cinnamon rolls. However, her true gift was being a wife and mother. She provided a loving home and a happy, carefree childhood for her five kids: Bill (Colleen), Barb (Ron), Alan (Gillian), Jeff (Kristi) and Paul(Rebecca). One of life's sorrows for Tootie and John was losing a full-term still born daughter in 1966. Tootie was blessed with 13 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Grandchildren include Todd, Amanda (Anderson), and Matthew Larson, Katie, Jamie (Cota) and Luke Stensgard, Hannah (Goodnight) and John Larson, Haley and Luke Larson, Sadie Langemo, Izzie and Finn Larson.

Tootie was a fashionista who LOVED pink. You might notice a bit of pink or sparkle at her service in her honor.  She leaves behind a legacy of love, warmth, humor, hospitality and unwavering faith. Though she will be deeply missed, her family celebrates the beautiful life she lived.  Tootie's favorite chapter from the Bible was the 23rd Psalm.  Verse six says "surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever".  This is a promise to believers in Christ Jesus.  Tootie's life was filled with the Lord's "goodness and mercy", and now she dwells in the Lord's house forever.