Marlene Larson

Marlene Esther Carter was born June 8, 1932 in Hampton, Iowa to two beautiful and caring parents Louva and James Carter. She had three sisters and three brothers and was the youngest member of the family. Her father died when she was only two years old which was compounded by the difficult times of the economic depression. "Depression death and sickness and woe her mother mastered without much to show."

She married Clif Larson May 29, 1949 with the strong belief that marriage was a total sharing. She had five beautiful children and settled in Ames, Iowa. Becoming interested in politics she joined the Democratic Women's Club in the 1960's and contributed a great deal of hard work toward the election of President John F. Kennedy. The doors were just opening up for this Scotch Irish Woman.

She had a deep sense of politics as a most honorable profession and wanted to become more involved in the political process and did so. A letter written by the former Governor of the State of Iowa and the now retired United States Senator the Honorable Harold Hughes stated-. "The effect Marlene has had on the local and state and national level can only be known by God. No political process has been taken place in Iowa in the past quarter century in which she has not been totally involved. The lives of countless people have been positively bettered because of her willingness to give of herself as a worker. If anything I said or anything I accomplished in my political career was for the betterment of humanity and a free society Marlene was a part of it."

In 1973, Marlene went back to college at Iowa State University. Her love of learning and the knowledge from teachers and books inspired her to keep going. Three years later in 1976 she was diagnosed with having breast cancer While she continued with chemotherapy she had a positive will to live and enjoyed all that life might offer. She opened an Irish bar in Ames named "Dugan's Deli" as a gathering place where everyone was more than welcome. Just as political parties are made up of people from all walks of life so were the patrons of "Dugan's Deli." The conversation there was always spirited enjoyable lively and meaningful.

We as family, friends and patrons can still see Marlene on St. Patrick's night singing "Danny Boy" and drinking a glass of green beer. Her Irish background was always there in her heart with "Erin Go Brau." God gave us many gifts of spirit and intelligence the capacity to make friends and inspire respect. There was only one gift that God left out- length of life. On March 15, 1980 Marlene died; when a life is over it becomes a work of art an object to be examined and admired as if it had been carefully sculptured from beginning to the very end. Marlene was indeed a beautiful work of art . . . .

4/17/95