Jean Allegra Just Larsen, age 102, of Forsyth, MT, passed away on March 21, 2024. She was born on April 9, 1921, at the family farm south of Judson, North Dakota to the late Paul and Clara Just. She spent her childhood along with her two older siblings, Wilmer and Sylvia (both deceased), on the farm.
Jean showed an early interest in traveling after her school years as she and a friend came to Forsyth, MT to work during World War II. Her fate was sealed when she went on a blind date with Chester Larsen, who was on leave from the Army. When Chester returned from his tour of duty in Europe, they were married in Billings, MT., July 8, 1944. Jean spent her married life on the ranch that she and Chet built together. They moved to Forsyth in 1996.
They had two children, Judy (Art) Hecker of Dublin Ohio and Jim (Carin) Larsen of Rosebud Creek near Forsyth; five grandchildren, Wendy (Lafe) Warren, Kari (Will) Ryan, Brett (Kristen) Hecker, Lori (Dustin) Wells and Tyler (Tisha) Larsen; eleven great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
Jean was always supportive of her children’s activities. She played an important role while they were in the 4H program. She was very involved in the Federated Church over the years. While she was living in Forsyth, she spent her Tuesday’s visiting friends and acquaintances in the assisted living facility, the nursing home, and the hospital. She was an exceptional cook as well as a baker. Her family and friends looked forward to her culinary efforts-especially her rolls. She was a true matriarch of the family since she hosted many family events such as the Christmas Eve gathering and other holidays.
Jean’s love for traveling continued over the years as she ventured to a variety of places with Chester and friends. Her goal was to see all her grandchildren’s homes, which took her to many states in the US.
Jean lived a life of faith, kindness, and generosity. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She offered continuous love and support to family near and far. She found joy in her family, music, dancing, playing cards and socializing with her friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Federated Church of Forsyth in honor of Jean.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 9-11 a.m. at the Federated Church in Forsyth. A funeral service will be held on March 30, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Federated Church in Forsyth.
Condolences to the family may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday March 30, 2024
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, MT
Service Schedule
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday March 30, 2024
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, MT
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David Just says
Jean called one day in early December, 2023. From that first conversation we were friends. It was truly a blessing to know her. She remembered so much. Memories of her cousins that were siblings of my father. Memories of growing up. Memories of Judson and New Salem, ND – especially the dancing and card playing times with family and friends. She spoke so fondly of her husband, Chet as well as her children Judy and Jim – and grand children and great grand children. And she freely spoke of her faith. What a blessing she will continue to be to so many. She will always be in our hearts. For the love of God (through Jean) endures forever. God has surely blessed us with the life of Jean Allegra (Just) Larsen.
Diane M Welbes says
So sorry to hear this–I never saw her without a smile –feel like I knew her from all the activities she was at in Rosebud. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Andy and Donna Mitzkus says
Gonna miss Jean, what a great lady.
Toynette P Rolston says
Jean was an elegant, gracious lady with a huge smile and warm heart. I am glad I knew you and that you were my friend Jean. RIP
Curt and Kate Terrett says
To all of the Larsen family, So sorry for your loss…..
Gracie Ann Waples Hill says
I remember Jean delivering a pint of thick whipping cream to my grandma Cecile McGraw in Forsyth. She was a genuinely nice person many years ago. I would have my tea with a dollop of cream went grandma. And to Carin and Jim and family we send prayers and blessings. She left you a wonderful heritage.
Gracie Ann Waples Hill.
Jennifer Ferguson Johnson says
Jean was a wonderful sweet lady and she will be missed. Sending lots of hugs, love and prayers to all her family and friends
Vikki Bradley says
What a wonderful lady Jean was. So enjoyed seeing her when she came to her eye Dr, appts always with a smile on her face and a story to tell. What a beautiful soul. Prayers to all the family.
Dwayne Albertson says
Jean was a gracious lady. She happily shared her joy of life. She was truly a person who demonstrated her love for her God and for her neighbor.
(She was not above a little mischief.)
I am blessed to have known her.
My sincere condolences to her family. 🙏
Kyle & Gail Shaw says
Dear Family, What a beautiful lady. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Diana Robinette says
Sending my love and condolences to the Larsen family
Brenda Potts says
Sending my deepest condolences to Jean’s family
Ardis Bott says
So sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers to the Larsen family
MARTHA J CRANDALL says
My sympathy
Helen Corbin says
Jean was my neighbor for a few years. Enjoyed talking to her , always had a smile. Prayers to the family. She was loved by many.
Claire Picone says
Heartfelt condolences Judy and Art as well for all the families. The lift in your voices when speaking of your mother brought curiosity of this great woman 👩🦳! May those strong spirits carry you through this time of loss. How blessed and fortunate you are to have had this woman in your life and heart 💜.
Best Wishes Judy, Art, Kari and Bret!
Claire 💜👩🦳
Helen Johnson Steele says
Jean had such a good sense of humor. Always pleasant to be around.
I shared so many of the family gatherings with them and I was always welcomed. She kept up with technology, email and Facebook. Pretty amazing really. She would call me and we would talk about sewing and the clothes she had made for Judy. I’m so glad to know her.
Dee & Shelly Batey says
Such a beautiful person and wonderful neighbor. She will be dearly missed. So very happy to have known her. Rest in peace dear lady.
Barb DeCock says
I believe Jean was an angel on earth, a blessing to all who knew her.
Bob & Cindy says
Jim: I’ M SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR MOM, I have very fond memories of her throughout my life, she was a wonderful person and a damn good cook. Prayers my friend.
Ron and Ruth Burman says
Jean , was a gracious woman and always kind.Rest in Peace dear sweet Lady.
Doug Benge says
Jim, Carin, Lafe, Wendy and All:
So sorry to read of Jean’s passing. 102-wow! Good for her. Our condolences.
Rocky and Kay Berdahl says
To Jean’s family,
She was a special lady, and we are all better for having known her. Sorry for your loss!
Bill and Brenda Allison says
So sorry for your loss of a very special lady. Have many fond memories of her and Chet.
Lena M Falcon says
To Jeans family
I will miss my visits with Jean. She was one of the first ladies I met when I moved to Forsyth 12 years ago. She was a special lady. She touched many lives with her kindness and beautiful spirit.
Stabler Hazel says
Jean was such a joy! Always ready to dance or play cards. A real lady.
DeDe says
Sorry to hear of your loss.
Terry and De-De Hause
Lynda and Michael Sheets says
I visited Aunt Jean in Montana for her 90th birthday, with my sister Patricia. I moved to California soon after. Since then I, my husband Michael and daughter Mariel, talked with her regularly by phone and FaceTime video calls. Whenever there was a natural disaster anywhere in California, she would call to make sure we were okay!
Aunt Jean came to seem more like a sister to me than an aunt, because I stayed so often with her parents, my Grandpa and Grandma Just. We both knew what it was like to grow up in their household. Her sister was my Mom, Sylvia, and I also knew many of her aunts and uncles well.
I also came to be the caretaker of our family’s photos, and was able to scan and make available many photos she had never seen—at least not in a great while. When I told her I’d found pictures of her wearing denim jeans, she didn’t believe me at first, and I had to send some to prove it! We had a lot in common, especially our Christian faith. She was a valued prayer warrior for us.
Talking with Aunt Jean was always a treat. She was wise, kind and generous with her time and stories, and her concern for the welfare of everyone was genuine. Her memory remained sharp. And she was very, very funny! We will miss her very much.
Kay (Crosby) Dooley says
A true lady of class and grace. Her faith shown through.
Peace to you Jim and Carin.
Karson and Marie Kluver says
Jean was a wonderful friend and neighbor. She met you with a smile and was so pleasant to visit with. She appreciated anything you did for her. If you sent her a card, she would send you a note back thanking you. In later years she called because she said her hand writing was so bad! Jean and Chet left a wonderful legacy and through that legacy they are not gone.
Kay Newman says
Even though I had only been with Jean a time or so, I realized what a wonderful lady she was and know how much she will be missed by her family. Love to them all!!
Kay Newman says
Jean was a friend to all those she happened to meet along the many paths she crossed in her life.
Kay Newman says
She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends whose paths she crossed during her eventful life.
Mary Kunst says
I’m sorry to hear of Jean’s passing. She was so kind, and I will remember her fondly. We are all richer for having known her.
Merna Gess says
So sorry to hear of your loss Judy, Jim and families.
Your Mom was a great person. Keep all your great memories close to your heart. Sending my sympathy and blessings .
Annie Oakley says
Sorry to hear about Jean! I remember the day she was born in North Dakota. I was 8 years old at the time. She was a very sweet, elegant woman. I will miss her.
Patty/Terry Struck says
Sending my deepest sympathy and blessings to Jim and Carin and the rest of the Larson Family.
John Munsell says
Jean was a real lady, and a sincerely nice person. I enjoyed visiting with her, she was full of joy and grace. She and Chet were a hoot!
Doug and Cherie Heser says
What a blessing to have Jean in our lives for so many years! She and her smile and sense of humor will be missed. I remember her and Ruth Watson attending the dress rehearsal of our Community Choir Christmas Concert so they were free to go dancing in Miles City in the evening. What fun ladies!
Hugs to all her much-loved family.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
Jim, Carin and all of the Larsen family & friends-
My sincere sympathy to all of you in the loss of a great lady. I’m sure you all will have many memories to share as you celebrate her life.
Nina Hoyer says
Judy I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing, but know she is dancing in heaven! She was truly a gracious and wonderful lady. I always enjoyed my visits with her. I loved her wit!
Pam and Jerry Witmer says
To Jean’s family: so sorry for your loss. Jean was a very special person! She always had a smile for everyone. She loved to go to the old time fiddlers and bluegrass music concerts. She loved dancing the waltz and did it beautifully. She will be missed by all and we were blessed to know her!
Jim Polich says
Thinking of you at your time of loss.
Sorry that I cannot be there for Jean’s final send off.
102 years. What an amazing lady! She was truly an icon of the community.
I will always remember the times Jean came to our house to visit mom.
God Bless!
Bill and Rita FitzGerald says
Since that fateful day several years ago when the sun was at the perfect angle to make seeing next to impossible and Jean pulled out and hit Bill’s pickup, I lost his heart to Jean. Jim was going to take her car away, but Bill said absolutely not! His girlfriend was not to blame! From that time on Jean was his girlfriend and Me?? I was just his wife, but Jean was his girlfriend!
What a great lady and the family she and Chester started are a true picture into her soul—kind, loving, gracious and a gift to us all!
Thanks Jean for your gifts to us!
Bill and Rita FitzGerald. We’re lucky to call you friend!
Karen Witt says
Jim,Carin and Family, My Deepest Sympathy for the loss of your Mother and Grandmother.