Aileen Mae (Schneider) Larson, 1930-2025, of Cherokee passed away on Feb. 15, at Accura HealthCare of Aurelia.
Aileen was born on May 30, 1930, in Alton, to Christopher and Stella Schneider. She was the oldest of four children. Aileen was a graduate of Briar Cliff College, Sioux City. She taught in Sutherland where she met her husband, and married Harold in 1951. They moved to Cherokee in 1956 after living in Chicago while Harold served in the US Army. Aileen was a full-time mother of seven.
Aileen was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Tri T, played in multiple bridge groups and in a couple’s golf league. She was an avid reader for her entire life and a frequent patron of the Cherokee Public Library.
While raising her children, Aileen had a job re-weaving men’s suits from a five state region. She performed alterations for Hope’s Fashion Farm in Cherokee and later worked at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute for many years.
Aileen was also a secret shopper for K-Mart. Aileen loved to shop! She took pride in getting bargains and stocking up presents for her children and grandchildren. Above all, she enjoyed Christmas when her living room was knee deep in wrapping paper, surrounded by her family opening up their gifts. When not shopping, Aileen could be found in the kitchen baking all sorts of goodies enjoyed by family and friends.
During retirement Aileen enjoyed traveling with Harold visiting many family members and friends. Nothing was more important to her than being with her family.
Aileen was preceded in death by parents, Christopher and Stella (Noethe) Schneider; husband Harold; sister and brother-in-laws: Lyanne (Sasha) Malamed, Norma Jean (Pete) Hansen and sister-in law Carole Schneider; daughter Joy Larson; and son Douglas Larson.
Aileen is survived by children: David (Diane) Larson of Ankeny; daughter-in-law Ginny Larson of St. Louis, Mo.; Mike (Kathy) Larson of Dublin, Ohio; Nancy (Charley) Jensen of Leawood, Kan.; Karl Larson of Cherokee; and Dan (Jodi) Larson of Ankeny; grandchildren: Carrie James, Stephanie Timm (Matt), Angie Larson, Katie Larson (Jesse Goins), Erika Larson, Tom Jensen (Lauren), Ben Jensen, Leigh Ann Griffin and Caleb Larson; great-grandchildren: Colton David Timm, Westin Lee Timm, Triton Joseph Timm, Nancy Jane Jensen and Margot Mae Jensen. Also surviving are her brother Tom Schneider of Long Beach, Calif.; and sister-in-law Corrine Yates of Indio, Calif.
Aileen was our dear wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, cousin and friend to many. She will be missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Larson Family Memorial Scholarship benefitting students from Cherokee County attending Iowa State University. Contact the Larson Family Memorial Scholarship, Iowa State University Foundation, P.O. Box 2230, Ames, Iowa, 50010-2230.
Visitation will be held Saturday, June 14, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (709 W. Cedar St.) in Cherokee. Mass of Christian Burial is Saturday June 14, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Immaculate Conception Church. Burial is Saturday, June 14, in Mount Calvary Cemetery (1498 520th St., Cherokee). Luncheon in church basement following.
