Jeanine S. Larson

Our Mom, Jeanine Marie Sorge Larson, passed away on August 17, 2026, after a courageous fight with cancer. Jeanine was born on September 28, 1941, in Muscoda, Wisconsin, at the Perhaska house. The daughter of Rudy and Marie Sorge, Jeanine grew up the second of eight children on the family farm in Blue River, Wisconsin, where she learned the values of hard work, honesty, helping others, and giving without asking in return.

She graduated from Blue River High School in 1959 and went onto St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Madison. Jeanine graduated in 1962 as a Registered Nurse and made life-long friends through her nursing school days. She enjoyed their frequent conversations and annual Labor Day trip to the cabin where they could all reconnect.

Jeanine met the love of her life, Ralph Larson, in Richland Center, Wisconsin. They married on May 2. 1964 and settled in Madison, and as their family grew, eventually Middleton. She worked at St. Mary’s Hospital on 2 North, and when the family moved to Byron, Illinois, she joined the operating room team at Rockford Memorial Hospital. She was known for her absolute control of the operating room and… the doctors… Again here, she formed life-long friendships that included so many stories, get togethers, and regular lunches.

Her family was the most important part of her life. For over 20 years, the Larson and Adams families traveled every year to northern Wisconsin to spend the week fishing, laughing, playing euchre, and making a ridiculous amount of memories. In addition, Ralph and Jeanine were strong Badger Hockey supporters often saying their section at the Coliseum was responsible for starting the “SIEVE” cheer.

Jeanine dedicated her life to her faith – it was strong, unwavering, and complete. She was a eucharistic minister, Sunday school teacher, women’s group member, and she supported numerous activities within her church.

Throughout their lives, Ralph and Jeanine traveled the United States making memories with family and friends. After retirement, she worked at OrthoIllinois as a surgical nurse. When Ralph became sick, she committed herself to being an amazing caregiver to him.

Jeanine doted, loved, and spent every spare minute with her family. Grandchildren have very special memories of time spent with Amma and Bompy. If you asked our Dad, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren could do no wrong. No matter what.

Over her life, she was famous for baking cookies and making meals for family and friends. Jeanine was busy in her community. She could be counted on to volunteer for school events and teach Sunday school. Jeanine also worked as a substitute nurse within the Byron Schools. After retirement, Jeanine also poured her nursing skills into volunteering at Serenity Home and Hospice where she touched the lives of so many families.

We estimate that since 1991, she has knit hundreds of Christmas stockings. From Santas to reindeer to baseball fields to angels, every child, adult, and friend was gifted a personalized stocking from Mom. It was a sign that Mom loved and welcomed the person into her family. We would like to ask all those who were blessed with a Christmas stocking to bring it to her visitation and funeral to display. This would mean so much to her, and it was a special request she made.

As a family, we have loved all the stories that have been shared about our Mom. Please continue to share those with us. We are heartbroken.

Jeanine is survived by her four children: Annette (Dale) Hartman, Stephanie (Dan) Beck, Jeff (Molly) Larson, and Kurt (Melissa Morrison) Larson; eleven grandchildren: Zeke (Jessica) Hartman, Tyrus (Molly) Hartman, Devin (Amber) Hartman, Emily (Victor) Soukup, Alyssa Beck, Andrew (Abby) Beck, Morgan (Jordan Carlson) Larson, Ava Larson, Bryn Larson, Regan Larson, and Ean Larson; three great-grandchildren: Hallie Hartman, Hayden Hartman, and Eloise Hartman; six siblings Mary Annette (Doug) Adams, Jim (Judy) Sorge, Tom (Cookie) Sorge, Connie (Greg) Butteris, Buzz (Fritz) Sorge, and Tim (Patsy) Sorge. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ralph, her parents, her son, Joseph, her brother Mick Sorge, and her sister-in-law Kathleen Sorge.

The family would like to recognize and thank Shelly Salo, Serenity Hospice & Home, and the many caregivers for their loving care. There are so many of you that have helped us care for our Mom that we cannot mention everyone by name, but we trust that you know who you are and we cannot thank you enough. You have made such a difference in her life and ours.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Byron. A funeral mass is scheduled for 11:00 am on Saturday, August 22, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Byron, with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Private burial will be held on Monday, August 24, 2026, at Roselawn Memorial Park in Monona, Wisconsin.