Sherry Larson

SHERRY LYNN LARSON, age 54, of Waseca, died on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, following a yearlong battle with an extremely rare and aggressive cancer at Lake Shore Inn Rehabilitation Center in Waseca. 

Born on December 18, 1970, in Edina to Robert & Karen (Lewis) Volling. Sherry grew up in Pemberton and graduated from Waldorf-Pemberton High School with the class of 1989. Sherry continued her education at the School of St. Catherines - St. Mary’s Campus in St. Paul, graduating with an associate’s degree in applied science with an emphasis in Physical Therapy. In 1999, Sherry was united in marriage to Kris Larson together they had triplets and later divorced. 

Sherry worked at Wenger Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine as a PTA, later becoming the regional therapy manager at Owatonna Commons Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. In 2013, she went back to school while raising her three children to receive a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management from Rasmussen College in Mankato. This new degree opened many doors for Sherry as she began working as program director at REM-Woodvale before becoming the program director of rehabilitation services at Whispering Creek in Janesville and most recently worked as a director of rehabilitation services at Lakeshore Inn in Waseca and Mala Stana in New Prague. In March of 2024, Sherry was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer that was extremely rare and aggressive. Being only the 20th person in the nation to have this diagnosis. Sherry fought for a year through intense treatments and invasive surgeries but though it all she always had time for her kids. In January of 2025, Sherry came home to receive hospice care, where her children cared for her as she cared for them until a higher level of care was needed. Sherry’s final days were at Lakeshore Inn in Waseca where she spent many years working as the Director of Physical Therapy. She was surrounded by familiar faces every day, including her family, friends and coworkers.

Sherry enjoyed the outdoors, watching sports, especially football – insisting on walking the sidelines during her son’s games, yearly get togethers with good friends, enjoying a glass of wine or margarita and just being surrounded by family and friends. Sherry will be remembered for her love of root beer floats, and comfort food while pregnant (her mom and dad would make daily trips to Barney’s). Most importantly she was a strong, independent, and loving woman. She would do anything for anyone. Sherry’s kids were her world, and she worked hard to provide for them with the best life possible. 

Sherry is survived by her children: Shelby, Peyton and Harley Larson; siblings: Shelly Champa of Rochester and Robert Volling of Arizona; nieces: Hailey (Jason) Flemke, Kaitlyn Champa, and Maddy Volling; great nephew, Issac (who would call her aunt ReRe); other relatives, and many friends. 

Preceded in death by her parents. 

A Celebration of Sherry’s Life will be held from 1:00 – 4:00 PM on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the State Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. Burial will be at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.