Obituary: Linda Darlene Rogers Larson

By age 4 it became apparent that Linda had an ear for music. She would pick out tunes on the piano she had heard at church or on the radio. She began piano lessons at age 6. She would have her teacher play her lesson so she would know what it would sound like. It would take her mother and piano teacher almost two years to realize Linda was not practicing her lessons, and she could go back a week later and play her lessons perfectly. Once her teacher, Frankie Reis, who was her piano teacher for 12 years, realized her potential, she did everything possible to make Linda a well-rounded musician.

Linda began accompanying primary school divisions at age 10, and she was an accomplished church organist, choir and solo accompanist at age 14. She graduated from Columbia Adventist Academy. She attended Walla Walls College, Clark College, Lane Community College and University of Oregon.

Linda was a minister of music at different denominations including Seventh Day Adventist, Presbyterian, Methodist and Lutheran Churches. She accompanied high school choirs and musicals, college choral groups, community musical theater including Oliver!, Mame! and South Pacific; community women and men’s choruses including the Eugene Gleemen. She earned recognition as “outstanding Eastern Oregon accompaniment” for the district honor choir performances at Bend for four years in a row, which enabled her to work with distinguished conductors throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Linda married her high school sweetheart, Larry Larson, July 21, 1967. They had two boys, Christopher Sean Larson and Nicholas Alton Larson.

Linda and Larry were married almost 55 years.

While residing in Lakeview, Linda was the organist/pianist for the First Presbyterian Church, accompanied many Lake Community Theatre and melodrama productions. She was the accompanist for the DMS and LHS choirs. She accompanied over 300 students at the COMEA District 5 Solo-Ensemble contests and the OMEA State Solo Contests.

Linda volunteered for over 10 years as the Sagebrush Echo accompanist. She also accompanied may local adult singers and musicians at funerals and weddings. Linda will be remembered for her infectious laughter, creative and sensitive musical moments and the musical legacy she contributed throughout Lake County.

Linda is survived by: her husband, Larry; sons Christopher Larson and Nicholas Larson; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church, 12919 NE 159th St., Brush Prairie, WA 98606 at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. The service will be live-streamed at bethelbrushprarie.org for those who are unable to attend. Interment will be immediately after the service at Brush Prairie Cemetery. A dinner will held after the services at the home of Ralph and Bonnie Larson, 19019 NE 118th Ave., Battle Ground, Wash. All are invited.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send donations to: Oregon State University Foundation, Opera Excellence Fund, 4238 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333.