Renee Marie (nee Sweeney) Larson passed away on Nov. 29, 2025, in Eau Claire, at the age of 63, after a long illness. Born on Feb. 6, 1962, in Delavan, Renee lived a life marked by generosity, creativity, and humor. At her request, family gathered to celebrate her life in the spring of 2026, her favorite season.
Renee was the daughter of James “Jim” Sweeney and the late Donna Lee (Bradford) Sweeney, who preceded her in death in 2019. She is survived by her husband, Tom Larson; her daughter, Kelsey (Tim) Guthmueller; her son, Evan (Tillie) Christianson; stepchildren Garrett (Lisa) Larson and Maddie (Emily) Larson; her father, Jim Sweeney; her sisters, Shelley (Jeff) West and Melissa (Jeff) Nauman; along with many nieces and nephews.
Renee grew up in Delavan, graduating from Delavan-Darien High School, and moved north to attend UW-Eau Claire in the city where she made her adult home.
To know Renee was to know someone who never did anything halfway.
She approached life with enthusiasm, imagination, and a determination to make ordinary moments memorable. She was an exceptional cook and baker who often expressed love through food. Her chocolate chip cookies appeared at birthday parties, office celebrations, holidays, and front porches across the years. She never arrived empty-handed. Whether it was a plate of her famous cookies, a favorite appetizer, a piece of art she thought they would enjoy, or a handwritten note tucked into a package, Renee found so many ways to let people know she was thinking about them. She had a particular gift for remembering friends who were mothers on their children’s birthdays, bringing a birthday cake for her so they could celebrate themselves too on those days that usually belonged to someone else.
Creativity flowed through everything Renee touched. Holidays and celebrations were not simply observed, they were produced. When her daughter turned sixteen, Renee spent months creating an elaborate murder mystery birthday party, complete with original characters, clues, costumes, and a storyline her guests still talk about years later. The Easter Bunny did not merely leave a basket; he left evidence behind of his visit in paw prints, and wisps of cotton ball tails. Santa’s skis appeared in the yard. Tooth fairies left clues.
Renee possessed a remarkable ability to create joy regardless of circumstances. When money was tight and family vacations weren’t possible when her children were small, she transformed an apartment room into an indoor beach complete with sand, swimsuits, and a picnic. On rainy cabin days, she convinced her children they could spend hours fishing with brownies tied to strings.
Perhaps her greatest gift was making people feel seen.
If Renee learned that someone loved pigs, books, gardening, skateboarding, sports, cooking, or any other interest, she remembered. She would arrive with a small gift, an article clipped from a magazine, a recipe, or send an email she thought they might enjoy. She paid attention to people and remembered the details that friends and family cared about.
She was also a second mother to many of her children’s friends. These friends found an open door, help with prom dresses, a ride to skate parks, and a place to gather after school. She was truly interested in the kids who congregated at the family home, and she loved cooking for them. Years later, many still speak fondly of the ways she showed up for them.
Renee shared her enthusiasm and care with organizations focused on helping others, particularly women and children. She was a founding member of the Women’s Giving Circle in 2007, a collective philanthropy that has made a dramatic difference by contributing social, intellectual and financial resources to support effective community programs for women and children throughout the Chippewa Valley.
Renee loved to read and devoured books, especially cookbooks, food writing, and stories that fed her curiosity. You can find a collection of her favorite recipes (including the famous chocolate chip cookies) here https://bit.ly/3QiSB1T. She enjoyed trying new things and challenged herself in unexpected ways. At one point, despite never having ridden a bicycle before, she learned to ride and trained for a triathlon, eventually crossing the finish line.
Renee was also funny in ways that often caught people off guard. She filled conversations with memorable one-liners and family sayings. Among the favorites were, “If you have to eat a toad, don’t stare at it too long,” and the 7 Ps – “proper prior planning prevents piss poor performance,” which still helps guide her family. The phrase many loved ones will forever associate with her, “Watch out for bears” was said all the time — when people left the house for school or work, heading off to college, or traveling halfway around the world.
She loved to sing along to music, alone or in groups – especially to Jimmy Buffett.
In her later years, Renee struggled with a long, challenging illness, which gradually took much from her and from those who loved her. While the disease became part of her story, it never defined the woman they knew. They choose to remember the Renee who opened her home, fed a crowd, wrote thoughtful notes, sang along to the radio, celebrated others, and created magic out of ordinary days.
As Renee would say, “Watch out for bears.”
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages those wishing to honor Renee’s memory to bake and share some cookies with a friend, or make a donation to Literacy Chippewa Valley, whose mission was close to Renee’s heart and whose work she believed in.
Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services assisted the family. For online condolences, please visit www.lenmarkfh.com.