Who was Lillian Larsen?

Teacher and school namesake, Lillian Larsen is pictured above center with her 1st grade class at San Miguel School in 1949.

Paso Robles Press, July 11, 1950 Page 1 & 4
Teacher's Reward! Ground Broken In San Miguel For
New Lillian Larsen School

Almond Acres in San Miguel was the scene of an exciting incident on Sunday, when a large group gathered around the flower decorated platform, to witness the ground breaking ceremony for the Lillian Larsen Elementary School.
Mrs. Larsen, for whom the new school was named, was born at Redfield, South Dakota, and attended the Shayon, Wyoming, high school and graduated from the Thompson Normal College. After her graduation, she started teaching at Stone Canyon, next at Phillips School, and then to San Miguel, where she remained for the next 27 years. During these years of service, Mrs. Larsen has missed only ten days of teaching.
SINCE 1923
While teaching at Stone Canyon she met Mr. Louie Larsen, and they were married at Aromas California. In 1913 she retired from the teaching profession for a few years, and returned to teaching at the San Miguel School in 1923. She attended many summer school sessions, to learn the new methods of our modern teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Larsen have two children, Mervil, and Louise. In the course of Mrs. Larsen's teaching, she has taught the following parents, and also their children after them: Mrs. Louise Bonnifield and children, Mrs. Dolly Awalt and children, Mrs. Nita Littlefield and children, and Mr. Bunn Turnbow and family. Mrs. Larsen has in her possessions; all the reports, pertaining to school, for the past 27 years. The program follows:
Presentation of colors by the American Legion. Mr. Bob Wilton, station manager of K.P.R.L. introduced Mr. R.W. Bob Mann as Master of Ceremonies.Father Urban Habig, O.F.M. asked the blessing.Mrs. Helen Fee led the school children in singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee."
Senator Chris Jespersen gave a short talk, saying he was proud to take a part in the school career of Mrs. Larsen, as she had been the teacher of Senator Jespersen's children.
Following the senator, Mr. Mann introduced Mr. Howard Negley, who is the only living member of the school board which 27 years ago hired Mrs. Larsen as a teacher. Mr. Negley introduced Mrs. Larsen who who gave the following short speech. "This is the happiest day in my life. One, I'm sure I'll never forget. Never! Even in my weakest moments, have I ever dreamed that a school would be named after me. Sharing with me in this honor today are my husband, Louie, and my son Mervil. I deeply regret that my daughter Louise, who is in Japan, cannot share it with me.
FEELS HONORED
"My years of teaching in the San Miguel School have been a great pleasure to me, I only hope that among the hundreds of pupils I have taught, I have been instrumental in a small way in giving a boost upward to just a few of them.
"I think that to have any institutions, no matter how small the structure may be, bear your name, is indeed a great honor.
"I wish to thank the board of trustees for the many courtesies extended to me during the past years. My heartfelt thanks goes to them and the community for conferring this honor upon me.
"Altho I may not be deserving of the honor, still you have made an old school teacher very proud and happy."
Mrs. Larsen was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Miss Mercedes Cisneros, in behalf of her family, of which Mrs. Larsen has taught eleven members.
MORE FLOWERS
Another bouquet was presented by one of her younger pupils, Miss Bertmann Turnbow. Mrs. Larsen was led to the spot where she turned the first shovel full of dirt, in preparation for the new school.
Mr. Mann introduced Mr. McCann, administrative consultor of the San Luis Obispo County Schools, who gave a short talk as did Mr. Bunn Turnbow, president of the school board.
Mr. Kenny Heinshon, commander of the American Legion, Post 749, congratulated Mrs. Larsen, in behalf of the Legion and himbself.
Mr. Kenneth Fee, president of the Lions Club, presented Mrs. Larsen a bouquet of flowers in behalf of the organization.
Mr. Mann introduced Mr. Fred Houghton, the oldest living resident of San Miguel. Mr. Houghton is 92 years old, and the Reverend French was called upon to give the benediction.

Pioneer teacher passes
Lillian Larsen, the teacher for whom San Miguel's elementary school was named, died this morning in Santa Cruz at the age of 78. Mrs. Larsen was born Feb. 24, 1893, and at the age of 18 she was teaching school at the Stone Canyon Coal Mine outside of San Miguel.
She was married to Ludwig Larsen in November of 1913, and the couple remained in San Miguel until 1956. Mr. Larsen died in September of 1967.
Mrs Larsen is survived by her son Mervil Larsen of Newcastle, daughters Pearl Scott of Oakland and Mrs. Gerald Ellis of Richmond, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Funeral arrangements are being made through White's Mortuary in Santa Cruz, and funeral is tentatively set for Monday.