ARLINGTON—The mother of Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02), Yolanda Larsen passed away on Tuesday, April 29, to join her late husband of 50-years, Richard “Dick” Larsen, with the Lord. She was 88 years old and is survived by eight children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
During her life, Yolanda was active in education by volunteering classrooms and in parent-teacher groups. According to the Arlington Times, “she worked on several school district bond and levy committees, helped raise more than $2.5 million to build the Linda M. Byrnes Performing Arts Center at Arlington High School and then served on the PAC’s advisory board.”
Representative Larsen released the following statement on the passing of his mother, Yolanda Larsen:
“It is a sad day for me, my seven brothers and sisters, and mom’s friends and family. Our mom, Yolanda Jean Larsen (neé Rosenbach) died on April 29th. She just celebrated her 88th birthday this month.
“Mom was the center of our lives as kids and as adults. Our house on South French Avenue in Arlington was the center of activity for our friends. Dinner was at 5pm every night except Sunday, no exceptions without approval. Cookies were always available to anyone who would stop by. The door was always open or, at a minimum, unlocked, so friends could come and go as they pleased knowing Mom would always welcome them.
“When she wasn’t holding the fort down while Dad was at work, Mom was active in the local community, setting an example for her children to be part of the place where we would live. She was a participant and not just a spectator in Arlington and its surrounding communities.
“She valued education first and pushed us to do well in school and be active in school sports and clubs. Although she never served on the five-member local school board, Mom was an unofficial sixth member since there was a Larsen kid in Arlington schools for 26 straight years.
“We are still sifting through her 88 years of life and will have a further announcement on services soon. Until then, bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies, cheer for your kid to do well in school or make sure they are at the dinner table each weekday night to hear how their day went. That would be a great way to honor her.”
U.S. Representative Rick Larsen is in his thirteenth term serving Washington’s Second Congressional District, which includes portions of Snohomish County and all of Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties. He serves as the lead Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
Author: Mario Lotmore
