Naomi Larsen, 78, Brownsdale

Published 10:13 am Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Naomi Larsen, 78, of Brownsdale, Minn., and formerly of Onalaska, Wis., passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, March 31, 2013, at Mayo Clinic Health System–Austin, surrounded by her family.

Naomi Hannah Kauff was born Sept. 4, 1934, in Queens, N.Y. to Edward and Ethel (Dieck) Kauff. Her passion was the companionship of animals. Continually throughout her life, she would adopt into the home every animal her two sons would bring home. Naomi had turned her home in Brownsdale into the island of misfit animals.

Survivors include her two sons Leif F. Larsen of Onalaska, Wis., and David B. (Tess) Larsen of LaCrosse, Wis.; granddaughters Rachel Lyn Larsen (fiancé Shawn Viner) and Hannah Lynn Larsen of Onalaska; great-granddaughter Emilee Nicole Klich of Onalaska; brother, William Kauff of Long Island, N.Y.; numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ralph E. Larsen, her sister Muriel Kauff, sister-in-law Cressy Kauff, niece Diane Boyle, great-granddaughter Hailey Marie Viner and her in-laws Boye and Christine Larsen.

Memorial services will be held in LaCrosse, Wis., at a later date. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.