Valesta Mae Larsen, 87, of Wahoo, NE, entered into rest on Friday, August 4, 2023 at Saunders Medical Center LTC in Wahoo, NE.  She was born April 11, 1936 in Colon, NE to Ewald and Dorothy (Teeter) Rohwer.  Valesta graduated from Wahoo High School in 1953.  Following high school, she attended Wayne State College for a three month teacher training course.  Valesta taught country school at District 23 for one year until she married Harley “Bud” Larsen on September 18, 1955 in Wahoo, NE.

Through the years, Valesta worked at Coast to Coast hardware store, Wahoo Newspaper and the Wahoo Hospital.  She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wahoo.  In the past, they enjoyed volunteering with the Wahoo Saddle Club and at Region V in Wahoo.  Valesta was quick to share a smile, a compliment, a helping hand and words of encouragement.  Her smile and warm spirit were a blessing to us all.  She had a gift of bringing out the best in people.  Most of all, she enjoyed caring for her family and she was proud to be called Mrs. Bud Larsen.

She is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Larsen of Menasha, WI, Cindy (Bill) Butler of Calumet, MI and Cathy (Terry) Lautner of Traverse City, MI; grandchildren, Andrew (Kori) Lautner, Julie Lautner and Erich (Sarah) Lautner; great-grandchildren, Noah Duran and Henry Lautner; many other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by husband, Harley “Bud” Larsen; parents, Ewald and Dorothy Rohwer; sister, Donnetta Prochaska; brother, Robert Rohwer.