Obituary of Margaret Ruth (Chambers) Larsen

Margaret Ruth (Chambers) Larsen 1933-2024 Margaret Larsen was born in Needles, CA in 1933 and grew up in Bakersfield. After graduating from Bakersfield High School, she earned her teaching credential from San Jose State University. She also attended Cabrillo College, UCSC and earned a Certificate in Swedish Massage from Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts. After graduating from San Jose State, Margaret moved to Santa Cruz to teach at the then two-room Happy Valley School, with eleven students in four grades. Her school board introduced her to future husband Charles (Chuck) Larsen. (Talk about employee benefits!) During her teaching career, Margaret taught at Highfields Farm, Mountain Elementary, Soquel Parent Education Nursery School, and Santa Cruz County Special Education. After retiring, she was tutor and a Swedish Massage practitioner. In later years she worked at Welcome Back and Fresh Choice Restaurant. Margaret was a raconteur, a voracious reader and infinitely curious. “What are you learning?” was a familiar phrase. Her radio was kept on the classical station. She once raced her son Paul’s stock car at Watsonville Speedway and finished fourth. She propagated plants and grew flowers, especially those that called the birds and bees. Margaret was a member of First Congregational Church (now known as Peace United Church of Christ) since 1959, where she served on several Boards: Deacons, Christian Ed, and Christian Concerns, and sang alto in the choir. She formed wonderful friendships at the Soquel Parent Co-op Nursery School who continued to socialize for 60+ years. Travel was a major passion; she and her husband journeyed throughout the US and United Kingdom, taking educational cruises to Alaska and the Panama Canal. She was watching travelogue videos as she peacefully passed. Margaret is survived by her husband Chuck; daughter Julie Larsen, Santa Cruz; daughter Elaine (Matt) Hagen of Tuolumne, son Paul (Tina) Larsen of Santa Cruz; grandchildren Ryan (Sheena) Hagen, Kurt Hagen, Jenessa Hagen, Caleb Larsen, great-grandson Evan Hagen-Yazzie; brother John (Fay) Chambers, sister Frances (Jim) Duffield, an extended family of biological and bonus nieces, nephews and grandchildren who adored her; including David and Michael Robe, Rachel and Stevie Dean, Heidi, Jordan, and Hunter Koronkowski and Brittany Matta. Celebration of Life will be held on June 8th 1-4 pm at Peace Congregational Church. Remembrances to your favorite charity.