Siblings hold fundraisers this week for their mother

Four siblings have organized fundraisers this week for their mother, Shannon Larsen of Havre, including a Pizza Hut benefit Thursday and a benefit dinner at the Eagles Saturday.

In Dec. 2017, Larsen suffered a stroke and two large brain aneurysms and was Mercy Flown to the Intensive Care Unit in Great Falls, the flyer says. It adds that she underwent surgery in Seattle and will return in September for a second.

"This is the beginning of a very long journey," the flyer reads.

"She has some trouble with her memory," her daughter Devyn Carpenter said. "I think the stroke affected that the most."

The family hopes the fundraisers will help raise money for medical bills and for them to travel to Seattle in September for her next appointment.

Saturday's event will feature a live and silent auction and serve a dinner of sloppy joes. The event will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Havre Eagles Club.

"We have some really good auction items," Carpenter said.

The live auction will include a knife donated by Montana Hammer Knives and a star quilt donated by Cindy Winchell, along with many others, she added.

"On behalf of our family," Carpenter said, "we would like to thank the community for donating so many great items. We couldn't do this without the community support and we hope to see everyone there."

Thursday, Pizza Hut customers, when ordering carry-out and dine-in only, can request to donate to Shannon Larsen all day; 20 percent of their order purchase will be donated to the Larsen fund.

Finally, the family has set up an account at Bear Paw Credit Union under "Shannon Larsen," the benefit flyer says, and welcomes any donations to relieve some of the financial stress from her medical expenses.

Larsen currently resides in Fort Peck but lived in Havre for most of her life, Carpenter said.

Carpenter added that Larsen's parents are Dale and Linda Sterner; her four children, who are putting on the benefit, are herself, Brittney, Hali and Dylan Carpenter.

Larsen moved to Great Falls in 2001, then to Fort Peck in 2013 to run the Fort Peck Marina with her husband, Joe, which Devyn Carpenter said she is doing now.

Larsen will be done at the Marina in the beginning of September and will then move back to Havre full time, Carpenter said.

She added that her mother is currently doing pretty well.

People with any questions can all Devyn Carpenter at 406-808-1111.