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Richard J. & Irma E. Larson Scholarship Endowment Fund

Established 2015

larson_dick_irmaThe Richard J. and Irma E. Larson Scholarship Endowment Fund was established to help Aurora area high school graduates attend colleges and universities to further their education in the fields of law, teaching, Christian ministry and agriculture.

Richard, better known as Dick, and Irma are both graduates of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Dick received his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Irma earned her Master’s Degree from Northern Illinois University.

Dick practiced law in Aurora for 31 years and assumed the bench in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit in February 1991. He retired as Circuit Judge in November 2008. Irma taught English at schools in Iowa and Minnesota and one year at West Aurora High School. After raising her children, she taught visually impaired for 18 years.

Dick and Irma have two children, Mark, a stockbroker, married to Lynn, and Anne, a lawyer, married to Joshua Vincent. Dick and Irma have two grandsons, Christopher and Benjamin Larson.

Dick served on the boards of Rush Copley Medical Center, the Association for Individual Development, the Aurora Area United Way (now known as the Fox Valley United Way), Mental Health & Mental Retardation, Inc., Prestbury Citizens Association, and the Wartburg College Alumni Association. He is a member of the Batavia Rotary Club and active in Rotary District 6440.

Irma has served on several community boards, including Child Welfare, the Aurora YWCA, P.E.O. Chapter DD, and The Mid-West Early American Pressed Glass Club. After retirement, she volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for nine years.

Dick and Irma are active members of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Aurora.

Thank you very much for supporting my college education for these four years. I will never be able to repay you for the opportunity that this scholarship has given to me.

Julia H.

[Renewing Scholarship Recipient] Graduate of Hinkley-Big Rock High School

We chose the Community Foundation because of its reputation. It’s well known, established and we can trust them to do the job for us.

Dick Schindel

Richard and Susan Schindel Scholarship Funds

…you can always start small, even $25 can make a difference. Remember we can’t take our money with us. Even if it’s just your gift of time. Volunteer and get involved.

Cris Anderson

Cristina & Thomas S. Anderson Endowment Fund | Tom & Cris Anderson Colonial Advisory Fund

As a first-generation college student from a low-income family, I was worried about how I was going to pay for books and supplies. This scholarship will allow me to focus more on my studies instead of worrying about how to afford college. I am working to not only create opportunities for myself but to motivate future generations. Thank you so much for helping me along this journey!

Moises J.

Claude & Alice Allen Memorial Scholarship Recipient

A community foundation is a donor-driven organization that helps donors custom-design funds that reflect their charitable interests. Through the years, grants from these funds have made a significant impact on our local communities.

Sharon Stredde

President Emeritus

There’s no question in my mind that the scholarship I received opened up possibilities.

Marianne Renner

Past Scholarship Recipient & Current Leadership Coach

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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