Barbara Ann Larsen passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, in Boise, Idaho, with her daughter, grandson and great-grandson by her side.

She was born Jan. 28, 1917 in Preston, Idaho, to Samuel N. and Rhoda A. Hansen. When she was two years old, she moved with her family to Jerome County and was raised and educated in the Jerome area, where her father farmed.

Barbara loved to dance. She met her lifelong dancing partner at a Saturday night dance in Jerome. She watched him dancing with all the other girls and says she was thrilled when he asked her to dance. Barbara married Leland D. Larsen in Jerome on June 30, 1934, and together they had four children, Melvin, Tom, Jim and JoAn. (Mom actually had another daughter, the second being Judy Murray, who she always introduced as her other daughter. They loved each other as mother and daughter.)

After Melvin died at the age of 21 months, Barbara kept busy raising bum lambs and kittens, camping and fishing with Lee and other family members, and performing in a chorus line that she and several friends formed. One of them sewed all the costumes and they performed at different events around the community.

Lee and Barbara raised their family in the Magic Valley and farmed, managed sale rings (where Barbara helped out in the cafe area) and had other business interests in several Magic Valley communities. They moved back to Jerome after their kids married and left home, spending the last 24 years of Lees life there. They always considered Jerome to be their home.

As mentioned, Mom loved to dance and while Lee and Barbara lived in Rupert they went out dancing nearly every Saturday night.

Mom also loved to play golf, bowl, play cards and socialize, as well as participate in the many family activities. She won the club championship in golf numerous times at the Rupert Country Club. For her years in the Rupert and Burley area, she and her friends played in golf tournaments around the state. After us kids married, Mom was always okay with us not coming home if our excuse involved golf.

Barbara was also an excellent bowler, enjoying traveling with her team to tournaments throughout Idaho and Nevada. She finally ended her bowling days at the age of 85, still carrying a bowling average higher than most younger bowlers.

She was an amazing Bridge player and so loved the social aspect of the game. She had to quit playing when her eyesight gave way to macular degeneration.

One hobby Mom will be remembered for is her talent at crocheting. She made beautiful afghans and in the early days crocheted huge floor rugs from rags.

For years Mom and Dad spent every moment possible with their horses, loving the chariot and flat track racing. They entered their horses in races throughout southern Idaho, northern Utah and northern Nevada, loving the time with both Hansen and Larsen family members, and their kids and grandkids that joined them at the tracks.

She so looked forward to the yearly family reunions. Some of her favorite memories were the monthly lunches she and Dad shared with Dads two brothers, sisters-in-law, sister and brother-in-law and the trips to Uncle Gene's cabin.

She loved to be with her children and grandchildren and especially enjoyed watching them play sports. Of course, in her mind they will all grow up to be pro basketball, baseball or football players. Even at the age of 92 she was so feisty, that at one of the baseball games the umpire told the coach of the team that if he didn't settle the fans down, they would have to forfeit the game. It was Mom egging the parents on.

Mom had a laugh that was contagious and when she was in a store reading greeting cards she would laugh so hard people would stop and stare.

A testament to her sense of humor and spunkiness is the love given to her by the employees at Life Care Center of Treasure Valley, and Legacy Hospice. The family sincerely thanks the staff at LCCTV and Legacy Hospice. Mom loved the singing chaplain at Legacy and would often sing along with him. We thank him for his singing prayers and blessings. He was a true comfort to her. A couple of weeks before she passed, when Mom heard a Nat King Cole song she told her night CNA that they should dance. He helped her up and they danced for a couple of minutes.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Melvin; and 12 of her 13 siblings.

She is survived by one sister, Betty (Joe) Putnam; two sons and one daughter; six grandchildren: Tom (Janice), of Jerome and their two daughters, Cindy L. (Ric) Sisco, of Corona, CA, and Barbara (Bobbi) Ann (Nestor) Hapayan, of Jerome; Jim (Vicki), of Leesburg, FL, and their two children, Kriston L. (Matthew) Smith, of Lahaina, HI, and Brandon Larsen, of Leesburg, FL; JoAn Condie, of Boise, and her two sons, Brad (Shelly) Condie, of Eagle, and Brock (Connie) Condie, of Boise; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

While Mom will be missed by all who knew her, she is finally at peace, pain free, and back with her Father in Heaven, Dad and Melvin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to your favorite charity.

Mom requested that a memorial service be held when all children and grandchildren could be there. Therefore, the service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 23, at the Jerome Country Club. A notice will be printed in the Times News and Burley paper the first part of July.