GWENDOLYN "GWEN" LARSEN, 92 of Ogallala, passed away Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala.
Gwen was born on February 28, 1927, at Norman, Nebraska, to Eddie and Nell (Newbanks) Larsen, the oldest of eight children. She graduated from Wray High School.
In 1944, Gwen married Otto Schmidt, and the couple moved to Denver to start their lives together. They moved several times around the midwest before eventually settling back in Denver, where she took a job with the Post Office. Gwen's career with the USPS spanned over twenty years. In 1964, Gwen married Eugene Convery. A desire to be close to family brought Gwen to Arthur in 1993, and in 2008, she made a move to Ogallala.
Gwen was always on the go. She was independent and strong-willed. Gwen had a tirelessness that not only described her tenacity for life, but also her compassion and faithfulness to the Lord. She was full of love, and as a result, Gwen didn't make frivolous relationships, but ones that were deep and lasting. Gwen was a matriarch and offered her family so much by way of love and example.
Gwen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Otto; siblings, DeLoris Dancer and Bruce Larsen; grandson, Zachary Schmidt.
Survivors include her children, Jerry (Judy) Schmidt of Longmont, CO, Gordon (Kay) Schmidt of Burlington, CO, Jerrilyn Schmidt of Ogallala, Cheryl (Toby) Kendrick of Stromsburg; eight grandchildren, Brad, Brent, Melanie, Mindy, Andy, Jeremiah, Joshua, and Jacob; twelve great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Survivors also include her siblings, Martin Larsen of Arthur, Joan Hines of Boulder City, NV, Mary Muller, Emma Robertson, and Spencer Larsen, all of Arthur; former spouse, Eugene Convery; along with many other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established in Gwen's memory to the Arthur Volunteer Fire Dept and EMT. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.
Funeral services for Gwen will be held Monday, December 23, 2019, at 10:00 am at the Arthur Baptist Church with Pastors Blake Wilkes and Toby Kendrick officiating. Burial will be in the Arthur Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, December 22, 2019, from 2 to 7 pm at Prairie Hills Funeral Home.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.