Tamara Louise (Hoagland) Larson, age 85, of Perkasie, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loving caregivers and family, on Friday, September 4, 2026.

            Tam was born December 23, 1940, the second of three daughters to Franklyn and Carolyn Hoagland of Alton, Illinois. Tam graduated from Alton High School and, in the fall of 1959, entered St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing — the start of a nursing career that would span more than five decades and four states.

            Tam went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from McKendree College and her Master of Science in Nursing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Over the course of her career Tam practiced in Illinois, Oregon, Missouri, and Virginia, and left her mark wherever she went: Tam helped establish the St. Clair County Health Department in Belleville, Illinois; taught nurse aides and LPNs at Lewis and Clark Community College; served as a guest speaker for community health classes at SIUE; wrote grants for the Christian Clinic in downtown Richmond, Virginia; and established the Parish Nursing program at Swift Creek Presbyterian Church in Midlothian, Virginia.

            On August 3, 1963, Tam married James E. “Jim” Larson, a proud Marine, who preceded her in death in July 2024 after more than 60 years of marriage.

            The family moved 14 times over the course of their marriage before settling in Perkasie, Pennsylvania, where Tam lived with her son Eric, his wife Diane, and grandchildren Garrett and Carter — for whom Tam was a devoted, hands-on caregiver through their elementary school years.

            In her later years Tam found deep purpose at the Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, where Tam was a longtime member of WOW (Women on Wednesday Bible Study) for more than 15 years. Tam was also an active member of the Keystone Quilters and her women's Bunco group, treasuring the friendships and creativity both provided.

            Tam is survived by her son, Eric Larson, and his wife, Diane, of Perkasie, PA; grandsons Garrett (soon to marry Isabel) and Carter; her younger sister Joyce Horat and family, of Kerrville, Texas; Bob and Karen Larson and their family in Minnesota; dear friends Etta Jane and Jerry Leonard in Illinois; and many other cherished friends including her St. Luke's Class of '62 nursing classmates and fellow members of the Woman's Club of Perkasie.

            Tam was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Larson (2024); infant twin daughters Laurie Annette and Leslie Lynette Larson (1967–68); her parents, Franklyn and Carolyn Hoagland; and her elder sister, Loretta Dee Crapnell.

             Her memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, 16 Irish Meeting House Road, Perkasie, PA. A greeting time and luncheon will follow in Hoopes Hall following the Service. Interment will be held privately in the Deep Run Presbyterian Church columbarium.

             In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice, to the Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, 16 Irish Meeting House Road, Perkasie, PA 18944 or to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or www.t2t.org/donate or to the Woman's Club of Perkasie.

             In her closing days, Tam drew great comfort from these words: “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes — I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” — Job 19:25–27