Loretta Marion Larson, 92, co-founder of the Sedona Red Rock News, passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2020.
She was born Nov. 21, 1927, in Fargo, N.D., to John W. and Elizabeth Puhr.
Loretta was raised in Oriska, N.D. She graduated from Western North Dakota College in Bismarck, N.D., with a degree in education.
She went on to be a third- and fourth-grade teacher. She taught in Hardin, Mont., starting in 1947 and continuing until she met Robert Larson after he returned from military service following World War II. On July 2, 1949, she married Robert Severt Larson in Billings, Mont. Robert and Loretta moved to Phoenix in 1956.
The family often came to Sedona to beat the summer heat. They fell in love with the area and moved to Sedona in 1963, launching the Red Rock News on Oct. 3, 1963. Robert and Loretta published three newspapers in Northern Arizona with the help of their oldest son, Robert B. Larson. The papers are the Sedona Red Rock News, The Camp Verde Journal and the Cottonwood Journal Extra. The Sedona Red Rock News celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 2013.
Over the many years of service to the communities they served, the Larsons donated to many civic organizations and were key to Sedona’s incorporation and the joint county formation of the Sedona School District.
Loretta was very involved in the Sedona community and Soroptimists for over 20 years. She helped start the Soroptimists’ thrift store currently on Jordan Road.
She loved playing bridge all her life and played with various old-timers from the Sedona area. She was also heavily involved in the charitable contributions that the Sedona Red Rock News made. Last, but definitely not least, she was part of a Gang of Eight women who met every Wednesday at René’s to discuss the issues facing Sedona.
With her passing, the Northern Arizona Healthcare Foundation will be receiving $3.2 million in property on Airport Road and State Route 89A plus two huge lots in Bell Rock Plaza in the Village of Oak Creek.
Loretta was preceded in death by her husband Robert on March 24, 2016, is survived by her three sons Bob [Vicki], Tom [Pam], Jerry and daughter Elizabeth Schweiss [Pat]. Robert and Loretta also have five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A private family service is planned. If you wish to make a donation, please make it to the Sedona or Verde Valley charitable organization of your choosing.
