Plymouth, MN - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Ann (Dode) Marie Larson. Ann died peacefully in her sleep on her 91st birthday; just as she had predicted to her live-in nurse the night before her passing.

Preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Maher, brother John (Bubs), sister Dorothy Knapp, brother Bill Maher and her husband Edward. Dolores McCormack being the only sibling left. Ed and Ann had no children of their own but did have many nephews and nieces that cared about them.

Ann was born on May 5, 1934, in Luverne, Minnesota, to Mary Elizabeth Mulroy and John Edward Maher. Ann was the oldest of the five farm kids. She left the farm after high school and subsequently graduated in 1955, from St. Mary's School of Nursing in Rochester, MN. Ann had a long career nursing for many years, eventually going on to teach clinical nursing within the MN State University System.

Ann married Edward Larson in June of 1967. Ann and Ed spent much of their lives living life to the fullest, traveling the globe in their leisure time. Together they enjoyed and taught downhill skiing and sailing. They loved travelling the world via boat, RV, trekking or rafting white water rapids.

Ann's hard work ethic from growing up on the farm continued up until the end. Together she and Ed started Blue Water Sailing School Inc. on Medicine Lake in Plymouth, MN., and taught thousands of students over the decades and introduced them to the joy of setting sail, battling a gale on Lake Superior or the mundane bobbing around wondering where the wind is. Ann was a certified captain that regularly taught intermediate and advanced sailing courses, both on water in the Apostle Islands or the Caribbean, as well as classroom training in courses regarding everything from the fundamentals of sailing to advanced navigation subjects. Sailing was their way of life, and their greatest recreational love.

Ann was known to have a keen grasp of a plethora of subjects and more often than not, was able to share some experience and wisdom regarding them all. She was thought by those who knew her to be a great conversationalist and very interesting to talk to. Ann was a bit of a feminist before most of us knew what that term was about. There were few things in life that she felt were purely "men's work", although she did understand the "good 'ol boy's network" and that "boys will be boys" mentality; she just finagled and worked her way around any impediments that may arise or get in her way due to it. Ann got stuff done!

Ann, along with Ed, was also a successful investor and landlord of residential property for six decades. She loved to employ people, give them a helping hand if needed, and some "walking around money" as she liked to say. Ann had a big heart full of empathy and sympathy for those down on their luck so-to-speak.

Ann will be interred with her beloved husband Edward at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on 25 July 2025 at 0930. Family and friends are requested to arrive 15 minutes in advance and come together at Assembly Point 5 within the grounds. A celebration of life ceremony will be held on Ann's front lawn of her home in Plymouth at 1 p.m. on 27 July 2025 with family and friends invited to attend. Food and refreshments will be served at the home following the ceremony. Please direct all communications to Michael Knapp at 612-839-9961 for further information.