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Frances Ella <I>Sinclair</I> Larsen

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Frances Ella Sinclair Larsen

Birth
Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA
Death
19 Feb 1997 (aged 80)
Corvallis, Ravalli County, Montana, USA
Burial
Cremated, Ashes given to family or friend Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Frances Sinclair Larsen was born in 1916 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the second daughter
of John Franklin & Gladys Emelora McMartin Sinclair, with an older sister, Gladys. Her father was a bright and charming, up and coming attorney in the Minneapolis area. "Frannie" had a captivating smile, which was framed by two adorable dimples on either side of her checks. She had a zest for life and always had a twinkle in her eyes, even in childhood. The Sinclair family was very engaged, politically, and she was taught from an early age that service to her community was essential to every well-established young person. She grew up in Minneapolis and attended public schools, and was very outgoing and popular, being voted "Miss Washburn" in her High School years. Frances loved people, politics and sports, including tennis and golfing.
Frances attended the U. of Minnesota, where she studied Political Science and was a contemporary of Hubert Humphrey and newsman, Eric Severid in the Political Science Club. Thus began an adult life dedicated to community service and politics. She was selected to represent the University at a worldwide student conference, which was held in Japan. In addition, she participated as a student representative in Switzerland, during her Junior and Senior Years. Also as a student she was crowned Homecoming Princess. Always high on her priority list was her membership and leadership in the PI BETA PHI Sorority. She remained active with her beloved Pi Phi Sorority organization and with her "sisters" until the day she passed.
In 1939, she settled with her parents in Brentwood, CA. She resumed working with the Pi Phi Sorority at UCLA. It was here that she was introduced to a dashing and charismatic businessman, who was also a member of the first USC National Championship Football team. In 1941, Frances married Herold "Swede" Larsen (originally from Blair, Nebraska) at her Father's Brentwood home. From 1941 through 1949, Fran and Swede had three daughters, Sharon, Karen and Sherril. As a devoted mother, Frances ensured that her daughters attended all of the normal childhood activities, including dancing lessons, art lessons, ice skating lessons and Brownie and Girl Scouts (she served as Sherril's Troop Leader). She was always available to support her daughters as they grew through young adulthood.
At the same time, Frances was active in Republican, civic and government groups. She was publically elected to the Republican State Central Committee and in that capacity she served as Vice-Chairman and Secretary, being re-elected repeatedly. She also was nominated as a delegate to three Republican National Conventions. In 1960, she served on two delegations, one for the California Senator and another for the Governor of California. Frances served as Press Hostess for three National Conventions appointed by the Republican National Committee. She was Delegate to four Western State Conferences and served 11 years on the Executive Committee. For over 15 years, she was an appointed member of the Executive Committee, with appointments from California Governor Knight, California State Treasurer, Ronald Button and the Congressman, Gordon McDonough. She was appointed Commissioner to the California Industrial Welfare Commission for 10 years, four years of which she served as Chairman.
In addition to her civic and governmental volunteer contributions, she was also employed by several politicians, including an Appointment Secretary for California's Governor Goodwin Knight, Assemblymen Joe Shell and Robert "Bob" Cline, Senator George Murphy and Governor's Ronald Reagan. Frances was Vice Chair, Secretary and Assistant Secretary to the California Republican Assembly, serving on important fact-finding committees, and as Chairperson of the Lt. Governor & Controller's Sub-Committees. As Vice Chairman of the Los Angeles County Republican Assembly, she chaired both the 63rd Assembly and 15th Congressional Districts. As a member of the Federation of Republican Women, she served on the California State Board, Southern Division Board, Los Angeles County Board, Officer of the Crenshaw Republican Woman's Club for six years, and held leadership offices in the Reseda and (President) Tarzana Republican Women's Clubs. She also served as Vice Chairman and Public Relations Chairman of the Los Angeles County Federation of Women's Clubs.
Her civic appointments and services of distinction included: President, Minnesota State Society of Southern California, Vice President, University of Minnesota Alumni Association, Secretary of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association; President, Area council of PI BETA PHI (9 Southern Counties); President, PI BETA PHI Santa Monica-Westwood Alumni Club; President, American Field Service, Granada Hills Chapter; Honorary Life Member of P.T.A. (Parents Teachers Association); Vice-President and Secretary of the Crenshaw Community Youth Center; Girl Scout Leader (Brownie, Intermediate and Senior)-Awarded Honorary Civic Leadership Award by the Girl Scouts of America; Member of the Board of Directors for the Camp Fire Girls of America; Community Chest Advanced Gifts and Neighborhood Chairman; Red Cross Advanced Gifts Chairman; Co-creator of the Granada Hills High School Booster Club; Volunteer for both the Daniel Freeman and Centinela Hospitals.In 1963, she and the family moved to Northridge, San Fernando Valley, where she continued pursuing her civic and governmental avocations.
In later years Frances assumed a new profession, as Activity Director in Hospitals and Convalescent hospitals. She obtained educational certifications in this field and proceeded to help many senior citizens enjoy their later years. She was loved greatly by these patients, whom she treated with loving kindness. In these years, Mrs. Larsen became active in the California Business and Professional Women's Club, where she fought for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment and where she served as President, Press Secretary, Tri-Valley District, and even founded the Northridge Chapter of the BPW. Also in later years, Frances was appointed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor's to chair their Los Angeles County Commission on Aging. It is amazing to note that both the State Legislature and the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Honored Frances Sinclair Larsen and her service to her Country, State, City and Community. After her death, The Los Angeles Board of Supervisor's adjourned early in her honor.
Frances Larsen was a confidant of Presidents, Cabinet Members, Senators, State Senators and Legislators, Congresswomen and men, Assemblymen and women, church leaders, school and civic leaders-- many of whom came to her for her guidance and help in achieving their goals. She gave her help gladly and as she had been raised by her family, to give of herself for her community.
Frances was widowed in 1993, when her husband of 52 years, Herold "Swede" Larsen, passed on. Thereafter she went to live with her daughter, Sherril and her son-in-law, Eric, in Montana. She died there of cancer, on February 18, 1997.
The vivacious, Frances Sinclair Larsen was always going "a hundred miles per hour", but always had time to talk to you and when looking at you, made you feel that you were the most important person in her world. What a gift she had…..she had a unique zest for life and was also a genuinely kind individual, who only stopped when the body gave out. If the physical body had not stopped her, she would still be going strong today! This world will never be the same without her loving presence but her genuinely kind spirit lives in the hearts of all of her family and in every life she touched. Today, she remains as an inspiration to us all.
Eulogy by her daughter, Karen.
Frances Sinclair Larsen was born in 1916 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the second daughter
of John Franklin & Gladys Emelora McMartin Sinclair, with an older sister, Gladys. Her father was a bright and charming, up and coming attorney in the Minneapolis area. "Frannie" had a captivating smile, which was framed by two adorable dimples on either side of her checks. She had a zest for life and always had a twinkle in her eyes, even in childhood. The Sinclair family was very engaged, politically, and she was taught from an early age that service to her community was essential to every well-established young person. She grew up in Minneapolis and attended public schools, and was very outgoing and popular, being voted "Miss Washburn" in her High School years. Frances loved people, politics and sports, including tennis and golfing.
Frances attended the U. of Minnesota, where she studied Political Science and was a contemporary of Hubert Humphrey and newsman, Eric Severid in the Political Science Club. Thus began an adult life dedicated to community service and politics. She was selected to represent the University at a worldwide student conference, which was held in Japan. In addition, she participated as a student representative in Switzerland, during her Junior and Senior Years. Also as a student she was crowned Homecoming Princess. Always high on her priority list was her membership and leadership in the PI BETA PHI Sorority. She remained active with her beloved Pi Phi Sorority organization and with her "sisters" until the day she passed.
In 1939, she settled with her parents in Brentwood, CA. She resumed working with the Pi Phi Sorority at UCLA. It was here that she was introduced to a dashing and charismatic businessman, who was also a member of the first USC National Championship Football team. In 1941, Frances married Herold "Swede" Larsen (originally from Blair, Nebraska) at her Father's Brentwood home. From 1941 through 1949, Fran and Swede had three daughters, Sharon, Karen and Sherril. As a devoted mother, Frances ensured that her daughters attended all of the normal childhood activities, including dancing lessons, art lessons, ice skating lessons and Brownie and Girl Scouts (she served as Sherril's Troop Leader). She was always available to support her daughters as they grew through young adulthood.
At the same time, Frances was active in Republican, civic and government groups. She was publically elected to the Republican State Central Committee and in that capacity she served as Vice-Chairman and Secretary, being re-elected repeatedly. She also was nominated as a delegate to three Republican National Conventions. In 1960, she served on two delegations, one for the California Senator and another for the Governor of California. Frances served as Press Hostess for three National Conventions appointed by the Republican National Committee. She was Delegate to four Western State Conferences and served 11 years on the Executive Committee. For over 15 years, she was an appointed member of the Executive Committee, with appointments from California Governor Knight, California State Treasurer, Ronald Button and the Congressman, Gordon McDonough. She was appointed Commissioner to the California Industrial Welfare Commission for 10 years, four years of which she served as Chairman.
In addition to her civic and governmental volunteer contributions, she was also employed by several politicians, including an Appointment Secretary for California's Governor Goodwin Knight, Assemblymen Joe Shell and Robert "Bob" Cline, Senator George Murphy and Governor's Ronald Reagan. Frances was Vice Chair, Secretary and Assistant Secretary to the California Republican Assembly, serving on important fact-finding committees, and as Chairperson of the Lt. Governor & Controller's Sub-Committees. As Vice Chairman of the Los Angeles County Republican Assembly, she chaired both the 63rd Assembly and 15th Congressional Districts. As a member of the Federation of Republican Women, she served on the California State Board, Southern Division Board, Los Angeles County Board, Officer of the Crenshaw Republican Woman's Club for six years, and held leadership offices in the Reseda and (President) Tarzana Republican Women's Clubs. She also served as Vice Chairman and Public Relations Chairman of the Los Angeles County Federation of Women's Clubs.
Her civic appointments and services of distinction included: President, Minnesota State Society of Southern California, Vice President, University of Minnesota Alumni Association, Secretary of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association; President, Area council of PI BETA PHI (9 Southern Counties); President, PI BETA PHI Santa Monica-Westwood Alumni Club; President, American Field Service, Granada Hills Chapter; Honorary Life Member of P.T.A. (Parents Teachers Association); Vice-President and Secretary of the Crenshaw Community Youth Center; Girl Scout Leader (Brownie, Intermediate and Senior)-Awarded Honorary Civic Leadership Award by the Girl Scouts of America; Member of the Board of Directors for the Camp Fire Girls of America; Community Chest Advanced Gifts and Neighborhood Chairman; Red Cross Advanced Gifts Chairman; Co-creator of the Granada Hills High School Booster Club; Volunteer for both the Daniel Freeman and Centinela Hospitals.In 1963, she and the family moved to Northridge, San Fernando Valley, where she continued pursuing her civic and governmental avocations.
In later years Frances assumed a new profession, as Activity Director in Hospitals and Convalescent hospitals. She obtained educational certifications in this field and proceeded to help many senior citizens enjoy their later years. She was loved greatly by these patients, whom she treated with loving kindness. In these years, Mrs. Larsen became active in the California Business and Professional Women's Club, where she fought for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment and where she served as President, Press Secretary, Tri-Valley District, and even founded the Northridge Chapter of the BPW. Also in later years, Frances was appointed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor's to chair their Los Angeles County Commission on Aging. It is amazing to note that both the State Legislature and the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Honored Frances Sinclair Larsen and her service to her Country, State, City and Community. After her death, The Los Angeles Board of Supervisor's adjourned early in her honor.
Frances Larsen was a confidant of Presidents, Cabinet Members, Senators, State Senators and Legislators, Congresswomen and men, Assemblymen and women, church leaders, school and civic leaders-- many of whom came to her for her guidance and help in achieving their goals. She gave her help gladly and as she had been raised by her family, to give of herself for her community.
Frances was widowed in 1993, when her husband of 52 years, Herold "Swede" Larsen, passed on. Thereafter she went to live with her daughter, Sherril and her son-in-law, Eric, in Montana. She died there of cancer, on February 18, 1997.
The vivacious, Frances Sinclair Larsen was always going "a hundred miles per hour", but always had time to talk to you and when looking at you, made you feel that you were the most important person in her world. What a gift she had…..she had a unique zest for life and was also a genuinely kind individual, who only stopped when the body gave out. If the physical body had not stopped her, she would still be going strong today! This world will never be the same without her loving presence but her genuinely kind spirit lives in the hearts of all of her family and in every life she touched. Today, she remains as an inspiration to us all.
Eulogy by her daughter, Karen.


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