Family donates over quarter million dollars to hospital

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Story Published: Nov 21, 2008 at 5:36 PM MST

Story Updated: Dec 18, 2008 at 3:02 PM MST

By Nate Eaton

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REXBURG - A Rexburg family is donating more than a quarter of a million dollars to Madison Memorial Hospital.

The money will be used for many things, including a new nine foot tall bronze sculpture of a mother holding a baby.

This statue, placed right next to the main entrance of Madison Memorial Hospital, is symbolic of what goes on inside.

"The name of it is 'Caregiver' and that's what the hospital is all about," says Madison Memorial Hospital worker Sharon Pirente.

It's also what the Larsen family is all about. Brothers Richard and Blaine and their wives have donated over a quarter of a million dollars to Madison Memorial.

"This is a very good hospital and we're lucky to have this hospital in this area," says Richard Larsen.

The Larsen's grandparents are Rexburg pioneers and Blaine and Richard donated the money in memory of their grandfather Alma and grandmother Lydia.

"All my family was born in Rexburg. My grandfather came to this valley in 1884," says Blaine Larsen.

Since then, the family has been actively involved in the hospital with some serving on the board and others helping where needed.

Now, this donation will help pay for the lobby, artwork, and the caregiver sculpture.

"It's an awesome contribution. We really appreciate the Larsen family," says Pirente.

"It's a big part of our life and this hospital has been wonderful for this community," says Blaine Larsen. "We'd like to see it prosper and stay in the community."

Rexburg artist Matt Geddes created the nine foot sculpture.

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