June 18, 1934 – December 30, 2024

We are grieving the loss of Leona (Lee) Elsner Kaufman-Larson, PhD who passed away peacefully on December 30, 2024. As were most of her days, her final hours were filled with visits from loved ones, cherished stories, and heartfelt laughter. Leona succumbed to the last stages of her body shutting down after 90 well-lived years. Like most of what she did, Leona’s death was on her terms. Her final gift to us was departing with a sound mind and full memory.

Leona was born on June 18, 1934, to Lucille and Rudolph Elsner. She is survived by her sister Colleen Anderson (Franklin). She is preceded in death by her brother Chester Elsner and nephew Douglas (Linda) Elsner. She graduated from West Seattle High School, and the University of Washington, and later went on to receive a double PhD in special education from the University of Phoenix. A fierce advocate for education and mentorship, Lee enjoyed a decades-long career as a dedicated teacher.

Leona married Clyde P. Dalrymple in 1957, with whom she had two children, Lisa (Dalrymple) Mullay and Glen Dalrymple. In 1986 Lee married Harvard Kaufman who passed away in 1996. Lee married Robert (Bob) Larson in 2002.

Leona is survived by her husband, Bob Larson, her daughter Lisa Mullay (Mike), granddaughter Megan Mullay, her son Glen Dalrymple (Becky) and grandson Stuart Dalrymple, her sister Colleen Anderson (Franklin), her nieces Erika Anderson and Erleen Anderson (Mark), grandniece and nephew Kara and Ryan Hooker, grandnephews Kirk and Craig Elsner, stepdaughter Jolee Cook, step granddaughter Megan Cook, stepdaughter Robie Larson, and close friends Fawzi Belal, Clarence Caupain, Kelly Davis, and Maya Damgaard.

She loved books, swimming, music, gardening, and gathering people together. Leona had a special way with children and a magical touch with dogs. Leona played the violin in the Seattle Youth Symphony and loudly sang any time and place she wanted. She took every opportunity to live her values. Leona was a Christian who cherished community fellowship while growing up in the Fauntleroy United Church of Christ and co-founding the Normandy Park United Church of Christ.

A celebration of her life will be held at Normandy Park United Church of Christ on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 2:00 PM.

We would also love your help with the celebration slideshow. If you have photos you would like to share, please email them to LeonaEDKL@gmail.com by January 27, 2025.