Obituary: Larsen, Emil Eijner
When Emil was seven, his father bought a farm in Elk, Washington.
In 1931, Emil graduated from Elk High School as class valedictorian.
Because of the Depression, he and his father went to Oregon and worked at the saw mill in Kinzu to support the family who remained in Elk.
After a few years, Emil enrolled in Kinman Business College and excelled in his studies.
One of the final projects for his education was to interview for a job, and he was sent to Union Carbide on this practice assignment.
Union Carbide offered him a job on the spot and he worked there as office manager until his retirement 43 years later.
In 1937, Emil married Mary Portier and built their first home on the north side of Spokane.
As their family grew they moved to Orchard Avenue on Center Road, living there for 63 years.
Emil enjoyed fishing and was active in his community.
He served as a Boy Scout troop leader, President of the Orchard Avenue Community Club, and President of the Danish Brotherhood, both in Spokane and the Pacific Northwest Region.
Most recently, he was active in Striders in the Valley.
Emil and Mary traveled often, seeing America from coast to coast, visiting Hawaii and cruising up the North American coast to Alaska.
They visited relatives in Denmark, and ultimately traveled throughout Western Europe and the British Isles, more recently traveling to Australia and New Zealand.
March 21st, Mary and his family and friends feted Emil’s 100th birthday, having a party at Guardian Angel in Liberty Lake, where he and Mary have resided for about two years.
Sunday, June 9th, Emil and Mary marked their 76th wedding anniversary.
Emil is survived by his wife, Mary, his two children, Arlene and Darrell and Darrell’s wife, Beth, as well as two granddaughters, Karan and Kathay, and loved by eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
He left a heritage of love for his country, community, family and friends.
Thank you, Emil, for showing us all how to be the best we can be, to have integrity in the things we endeavor and expect the best in the people we meet.
Your memory will be cherished and you will be greatly missed by each of us.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Spokane or Parkinson’s Research.
Visitation will be Friday from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Rd.
Funeral Services will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at Thornhill Valley Chapel.