Dona Larsen

Dona Larsen grew up on a farm in Cornish, Utah. She and her husband, Dorrell, moved to the Treasure Valley in 1956. Dona and Dorrell raised 10 children in Boise, who all graduated from East Junior High and Boise High School and then went on to graduate from college. Dona was a strong advocate for the power of education!, Dona was heavily involved with local athletic teams, spending seven years running the girls summer softball and basketball programs for the Boise City Parks and Recreation and coaching many of her children’s teams. She began teaching physical education full-time and coaching girl’s track and volleyball here on this site at East Junior High School in 1970. Her teams won the lion’s share of championships, and she was very proud of her girls. She touched countless lives and for 30 years she inspired and positively influenced her students., In 1999, the Boise City School District presented Larsen its Red Apple Award in recognition of her outstanding achievement and innovation as a teacher. Dona retired from her distinguished teaching and coaching career in 2000., Dona Larsen Park is the ninth in Boise’s "Ribbon of Jewels" parks, a collection of parks and trails all bearing the names of outstanding women in the Boise community., Boise State University thanks the David and Debra Larsen Huber Family Foundation for their naming gift to Dona Larsen Park.