Elizabeth Larsen

Elizabeth Jean Hardy Larsen, 80, of Allouez, passed away peacefully the morning of January 1, 2025 after a lengthy battle with vascular dementia. Liz (to family and her caregivers) or Beth (to many friends) was born in Stambaugh, Michigan to Elmer and Elizabeth (Dedo) Hardy on July 15th, 1944. The middle child of three girls, she treasured her time at the family cottage on Golden Lake and always had many stories to share about life in the U.P. Her sisters Roberta and Ellen were her best friends for life.

Liz graduated from Stambaugh High School, class of 1962. She was active in the band and marching band playing the alto saxophone. After high school, she then followed her best friend Sue Clark to Chicago to pursue a career and live the city life with her, Eileen and Rita. They had so much fun! She worked as the personal assistant at First National Bank of Chicago to A. Robert Abboud, whom she admired and talked about with fond memories.

She met her husband of 27 years, Bill Larsen in Chicago and they married in February, 1965. With a job offer for Bill, they moved to Green Bay in 1966 and settled in Allouez where they raised their two children, Steven and Heather. Somerset Drive was a special place for many years where the family made lifelong friends. Yearly ski trips to Powderhorn with the IBM families were also fun times, and she made the rented chalet a cozy home every year for a week while the family skied. That is what she did, made a loving home for her family. During those years she attended UWGB to study Literature, and later went back to finish an Associate’s Degree.

Liz later reconnected with a friend, who became her partner of over 30 years. Jim Piette and Liz met up at, of all places, Seroogy’s. She loved her sweets! They went on to have a very special relationship right up until Jim’s passing in May, 2024. She loved Jimmy and his family so very much, and he took good care of her, as did his daughter Michelle Micksch. They loved traveling, watching movies, snuggling with her animals, and just spending lots of time with the kids and especially grandkids. Jilly her sweet cat was with her until the end, sleeping alongside her, and she and Jim loved her dearly. Liz was “Gamma Gamma” and “Grandma Ella” to her 4 grandchildren Lizzie, Kalina, Sammy and Stefan. She spoiled them with candy, late sleepovers, and lots of love! She was always so proud of their accomplishments.

Liz is survived by her children, Steven Larsen and Heather (Peter) Opichka as well as her grandchildren Kalina and Stefan Larsen, and Lizzie and Sammy Opichka. She is also survived by her younger sister Ellen (Bob) Marlowe and four nephews. Chris Marlowe and his children Megan, Emma, and Ty and Brad (Katie) Marlowe, Gordon (Chris) Kline and Rob (Kelly) Kline, as well as Jim’s children Michelle(Bill) Micksch, Steve (Tricia) Piette, Jeff (Heidi) Piette and all of their kids and grandkids. She was preceded in death by her partner, Jim Piette, her sister Roberta (Kline) Quehl, her parents, her grandson Samuel Peter Opichka, and her nephew Glen Kline.

A very special thanks to Sage Meadow Assisted Living for caring so graciously for our mom. Living with dementia is so very difficult, but they helped us through day by day with their love and patience for our mom. She loved them and we will forever have a special place in our hearts for all of them! Also we would like to thank Ellie Petrella who was a private nurse for our mom while she lived independently, mom loved you! Finally, thank you to Unity Hospice for their gentle care when we needed it most over these last few months.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wisconsin Humane Society-Green Bay Campus or The Brain Center of Green Bay. A Visitation will take place at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N Webster Ave, De Pere, on Monday, January 13th from 3:00pm until the time of prayer service at 4:30pm with Rev. Bob Kabat officiating.