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1971 Eminent Homemaker

County: Butte

Amy K. Larson, 72, Fruitdale, is a woman who “can’t imagine anything more boring than having nothing to do.” 

The South ��ֱ���� Board of Regents and South ��ֱ���� State University honored this ranch woman in 1971 for her activities with community youth, 4-H, adults and her record as a homemaker.

Larson, an early-day rural school teacher in western South ��ֱ����, has been active in numerous church, community and youth activities in the Fruitdale area, located in Butte County. Larson, the former Amy Kent, came to Fruitdale in 1917, after a half year of teaching in Weld County, Colorado. The Butte County resident recalls, “The original teacher in the Weld County school quit at Christmas and I was hired to take her place. I didn’t blame her for quitting! There were 38 students.”

She says she’s never regretted that she never returned to teaching after her son, Robert (who died in 1954), and a daughter, Marjorie, were born. Larson helped organized two 4-H clubs 26 years ago. She’s been a member of the State 4-H Leaders’ Association for 26 years (a delegate to Chicago in 1950 as state leader), is charter member of the Butte County 4-H Leaders’ Association and established the “Elsie Wood Memorial Traveling Trophy” for girls’ 4-H demonstrations. She has held several offices in the Hillside Ladies Club, the Friendship Extension Club and the Fruitdale Community Club.

The Butte County resident also is a charter member of the Cowbelles, female contingent of the South ��ֱ���� Stockgrowers Association, serving as president of that organization in 1954. In addition, she was a member of the Half Century Club in Butte County, Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodges, American Legion Auxiliary, the Farm Bureau and has served on the precinct election board since 1932.

Larson helped initiate a hobby show 11 years ago in Butte County to raise money for homemakers’ club projects, 4-H judging team trips and 4-H Camp Bob Marshall in the Black Hills.

Amy’s husband, Chris, who died Aug. 22, 1971, had been active in fund raising events for the community hall and 4-H and other community enterprises.

Larson’s advice to young people is, “Do your best, then you’ll have the satisfaction of looking back.”