Meta V. Larsen

Racine – Meta V. (nee: Andersen) Slesarenko-Larsen, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Meta was born in Racine, WI on November 16, 1927 to Henry and Johanne (nee: Jensen) Andersen. She was the fourth of five children. Her mother died after the birth of the fifth child, who was adopted by an uncle and aunt which made them “sister/cousins”, a little family chuckle! Meta attended Washington Park High School. She worked at a tannery, Allover Mfg. and Motor Specialty. Later her older sister invited Meta to help with a cleaning position at the home of one of Racine's large corporate families. She retired after 30 years of service. She was married to Alex Slesarenko for 40 years, who preceded her in death and they had three daughters. After losing our dad, she reconnected with the man she was engaged to first. On their first outing she told him they'd remain friends, that nothing would come of this. She was married to Don Larsen for 30 years, who also preceded her in death. She was a lifetime and very involved member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, now Journey in Faith Church. Meta was a thrifty woman to say the least. She loved and could always find a good bargain at the many rummage and estate sales she frequented over the years. To Meta, one woman's trash is another woman's treasure. One night while junking with her neighbor, they happened upon a toilet, a door and frame, and a doll. You guessed it. They set the doll on the toilet and then framed it with the door! Hoping they have sales in Heaven because she will be there. We've never known her to be a big Hollywood person, but two people she did really like are Yakov Smirnoff, who she saw in Branson and Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle) who she saw and met on a cruise ship. Meta enjoyed traveling, which not only included here in the lower United States, but also Alaska, Hawaii, Denmark and Israel. She also loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed baseball and had the channel of the Brewers on a piece of paper by her chair so as not to forget to watch them. Last year she came to love Bingo where she won many candy bars. But being diabetic she'd always save them for her “three wonderful daughters” whom she eventually referred to us as. Meta is survived by her daughters, Trudy (Artie) Rozzoni, Debbie (Tom) Peterik and Becky Olson all of Racine; six grandchildren, Chris (Karen) Rozzoni, Andy (Karen) Rozzoni, Bill (Stephanie) Peterik, Mindi (John) Rydzik, Abby Peterik and Rachael Crosby; 12 great grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren and her sister, Carol Havig of Montana. Also, two stepsons, Wes (Diane) Larsen and Brad Larsen, stepson-in-law, Bernie Kupper, seven step grandchildren, 10 step great grandchildren and two step great-great grandchildren. In additon to her husbands', she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Jamie Olson, three siblings and spouses; Harry (Doris) Andersen, Anna (Oscar) Christensen, Ingemann (Cathryn) Andersen, brother-in-law, Leif Havig and two stepchildren, Rose Kupper and Dennis Larsen. Funeral services will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at 11:30 a.m. with the Rev. Allison Johnson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials to one's favorite charity has been suggested by the family.

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Meta V. Larsen

November 16, 1927 - August 15, 2023