1935
Reba
2017
Reba Larson
January 5, 1935 — May 8, 2017
Reba Jean (Keys) Larson was welcomed into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 8, 2017 at the age of 82. She passed away peacefully at home after a courageous, ten-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Reba was born on Jan. 5, 1935 to Delbert and Ellen (Grandstaff) Keys in Chandler, OK. Later her family moved to Canon City, CO where she graduated from Canon City High School. She then returned to Oklahoma to attend Bethany College (now SNU) and graduated with a B.A. in English in 1957.
She began teaching English in Whitewater, KS. Soon after, she met the love of her life, John Philip (“Phil”) Larson. They were married on Aug. 14, 1960 in Canon City, CO, and began their new life together in Kansas City. She and Phil had three children, Kristin, Kari and Erik.
Reba was a 50-plus year member of Atonement Lutheran Church where she was active in various committees and women’s Bible studies. She was an excellent cook, a seamstress, an avid reader and art lover, and especially enjoyed travel. She could often be found at the piano, playing her favorite hymns. She also spent countless hours volunteering at her children’s schools.
As her children grew older, she attained her Master’s Degree in Education at KU (1980) and then returned to teaching full time. After several positions teaching gifted students in the Olathe School District, she spent the majority of her career at and retired from Olathe South High School. Reba put her heart and soul into program development and teaching, wanting to make an impact on each student’s life. Because of her expertise in gifted education, she was asked to develop a gifted program at the prestigious Kamehameha School in Hawaii. She also was honored as a Fulbright Scholar, studying in Russia. During retirement she was an active member of the Council for Social Studies, holding various offices through the years.
The Reba we remember was a woman who lived out her faith every day in the way she served others and loved people well. This Mother’s Day will certainly be her best one to date as she celebrates in heaven. Each day of her life God was truly her refuge and strength (Ps. 46:1-3).
The family would like to thank Reba’s caregivers: Ivonne, Valerie, Carolyn, Lynne, and David; also, Dr. Michael Monaco, Interim Hospice, Atonement staff, and others who helped with this journey.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Phil; children, Kari (Tom) Lipscomb of Overland Park; Erik (Andrea) Larson of Libertyville, IL; son-in-law, Mark Smith of Hutchinson, KS; grandchildren Anna and Thomas Lipscomb; Annika and Christian Larson; Jack, Josh and Will Smith; brothers Duane (Gladys) Keys of Pueblo, CO; Ferrel (Bobi) Keys of Rye, CO, and many extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Kristin (Larson) Smith, and her brother, Jerrel Keys.
A visitation will be held on Friday, May 19 from 2-3 pm, funeral service at 3 pm, with dinner reception to follow, at Atonement Lutheran Church (9948 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66212). A private graveside service will be held on Saturday for the family. Memorial contributions can be
made to: Metro Lutheran Ministry, 3031 Holmes St., KCMO 64109.
Reba was born on Jan. 5, 1935 to Delbert and Ellen (Grandstaff) Keys in Chandler, OK. Later her family moved to Canon City, CO where she graduated from Canon City High School. She then returned to Oklahoma to attend Bethany College (now SNU) and graduated with a B.A. in English in 1957.
She began teaching English in Whitewater, KS. Soon after, she met the love of her life, John Philip (“Phil”) Larson. They were married on Aug. 14, 1960 in Canon City, CO, and began their new life together in Kansas City. She and Phil had three children, Kristin, Kari and Erik.
Reba was a 50-plus year member of Atonement Lutheran Church where she was active in various committees and women’s Bible studies. She was an excellent cook, a seamstress, an avid reader and art lover, and especially enjoyed travel. She could often be found at the piano, playing her favorite hymns. She also spent countless hours volunteering at her children’s schools.
As her children grew older, she attained her Master’s Degree in Education at KU (1980) and then returned to teaching full time. After several positions teaching gifted students in the Olathe School District, she spent the majority of her career at and retired from Olathe South High School. Reba put her heart and soul into program development and teaching, wanting to make an impact on each student’s life. Because of her expertise in gifted education, she was asked to develop a gifted program at the prestigious Kamehameha School in Hawaii. She also was honored as a Fulbright Scholar, studying in Russia. During retirement she was an active member of the Council for Social Studies, holding various offices through the years.
The Reba we remember was a woman who lived out her faith every day in the way she served others and loved people well. This Mother’s Day will certainly be her best one to date as she celebrates in heaven. Each day of her life God was truly her refuge and strength (Ps. 46:1-3).
The family would like to thank Reba’s caregivers: Ivonne, Valerie, Carolyn, Lynne, and David; also, Dr. Michael Monaco, Interim Hospice, Atonement staff, and others who helped with this journey.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Phil; children, Kari (Tom) Lipscomb of Overland Park; Erik (Andrea) Larson of Libertyville, IL; son-in-law, Mark Smith of Hutchinson, KS; grandchildren Anna and Thomas Lipscomb; Annika and Christian Larson; Jack, Josh and Will Smith; brothers Duane (Gladys) Keys of Pueblo, CO; Ferrel (Bobi) Keys of Rye, CO, and many extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Kristin (Larson) Smith, and her brother, Jerrel Keys.
A visitation will be held on Friday, May 19 from 2-3 pm, funeral service at 3 pm, with dinner reception to follow, at Atonement Lutheran Church (9948 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66212). A private graveside service will be held on Saturday for the family. Memorial contributions can be
made to: Metro Lutheran Ministry, 3031 Holmes St., KCMO 64109.
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