Annette Knapheide Larson

Annette was born September 9, 1922 to Harold Waldemar Knapheide and Mary Ganz Knapheide in Quincy, Illinois and passed away peacefully on January 5, 2012 in Denver, Colorado, having moved from St. Louis, Missouri six years ago to be near her family in Denver. She spent her childhood in Quincy, Illinois where she met her future husband, Philip Lindstrom Larson, whom she married in 1945. Mr. Larson preceded her in death in 1992. A gifted musician, Annette was an accomplished pianist and violinist who was introduced to the piano on her mother's lap at the age of three and received her degree in music at MacMurray College, Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1944. She played violin and piano throughout her life in both civic and church venues as well as for the delight of her family. Her love of music was equaled by her love of golf and travel, which she enjoyed with her husband. Annette also found time to volunteer with her children's activities; the St. Louis Art Museum; St. Vincent's Hospital, Little Rock, AR; and the Hospitality Committee at Holly Creek. Annette was proud of her family heritage and was known for her practicality and industriousness, love of learning, and vibrant personality. ""Gaga"" is much loved and missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Annette was preceded in death by her parents, brother Harold Waldemar Knapheide, Jr., sister Marcia Knapheide Keller, nephew Arthur Keller, nephew-in-law Erwin Wood, and great-nephew Ragan Knapheide. She is survived by her daughters Kristine Larson Schneider and husband Bill of Denver, Colorado Erica Larson Sartain and husband, Charles of Dallas, Texas;; grandchildren Bill Schneider and wife Allison of Denver, Colorado, Michael Schneider of Los Angeles, California, Philip Sartain of Dallas, Texas and Katherine Sartain of Dallas, Texas; great-grandsons Jackson Schneider and Shepherd Schneider of Denver, Colorado; nephew Harold W. Knapheide, III and wife Ann of Quincy, Illinois; niece Heidi Keller Brenner and husband Michael of Knoxville, Tennessee; niece Vicki Knapheide Wood of The Woodlands, Texas; and sister-in-law Maxine Stroot Larson of Seattle, Washington and numerous Larson nieces and nephews. A memorial service for Annette will be held at Holly Creek Retirement Community, 5500 East Peakview Avenue, Centennial, Colorado on January 13th at 1:30 PM. Annette will be laid to rest with her husband of 47 years at Forever Bellerive Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri along with a memorial service at Bonhomme Presbyterian Church The family wishes to express thanks and gratitude to the staff and Annette's dear friends at Holly Creek Retirement Community for their care, love and devotion as well as to the staff of Porter Hospice. Donations may be made to Porter Hospice Foundation, 1391 Speer Blvd, Suite 600, Denver, CO 80204 or to Christian Living Communities at Holly Creek.