Elna M. Larsen

Elna M. Larsen passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in Great Kills, Staten Island on October 12th. She was 99 years old. She was born February 1st, 1926 in Arendal, Norway, on the island of Hisøy to Thomas and Laura Syvertsen. At the age of 12, she immigrated with her mother to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. On September 29th, 1945, Elna married the love of her life, Harold E. Larsen. Their love story began at a party that Elna believed was a costume party. She arrived dressed up, only to realize she was the only one in costume. Harold noticed her, walked up with a smile, and asked her to dance. That dance was the beginning of a deep and devoted partnership that they cherished throughout their years together. During World War II, Elna worked as a telephone operator. On March 19th, 1949, Elna and Harold opened Larsen’s Jewelers in Annadale, Staten Island. After three years, they moved the business to Great Kills, where it would become a cherished community fixture for decades. Elna was the bookkeeper and created the store’s beautiful displays and window decorations. Together, Elna and Harold lovingly raised two sons, Karl and Erik. They enjoyed spending time with friends at the Fredheim Lodge, where they loved to dance, and later, Elna was an active member of the Nansen Lodge Sons of Norway Folk Dancers. The couple shared a passion for travel and spent many joyful vacations in Aruba with their dear friends, Oke and Louise Olson. Harold passed away in 1987, following 44 years of loving marriage. Elna continued to work in the family business well into her 80's. Elna will be remembered for the kindness and warmth she extended to everyone she met. She had a gift for making people feel welcome—always ready to offer coffee, cake, and conversation. A phenomenal Scandinavian cook, she was especially known for her authentic Norwegian dinners. Elna will be dearly missed by her sons, Karl and Erik, and their spouses, Marjorie and Margaret. She was blessed with three grandsons, Evan, Louis, and Thomas, and a granddaughter, Kristen. She was predeceased by her beloved sister, Lillian. A Funeral service will be offered at 10:30 AM on Friday, October 17, 2025 at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc. located at 28 Eltingville Blvd Staten Island, New York 10312. Interment will follow in Ocean View Cemetery, Staten Island, NY. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd, Staten Island, New York. Donations in loving memory of Elna may be made to Tunnel to Towers online at www.T2T.org, or Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org.

Elna M. Larsen

February 1, 1926 - October 12, 2025