Laura Larkin is the Marshall County Treasurer. She has worked for the Marshall County Treasurer's office since 1981 and has been the treasurer since 2012 Larkin, who was born in Northern California, has lived in Madill since her family moved to the county when she was 16 years old. Both of Larkin’s parents were raised in Madill and decided to return to the area after living in California for some time.
“My mother was born here and then she left when she was 15 [years old]', Larkin said.. '[She] married my dad and moved off to California.”
She said moving to Madill in the 1980’s wasn’t much of a culture shock since her family had moved away from a relatively small town in Northern California.
“A small town is a small town, so it wasn’t a huge difference,” Larkin said jokingly.
After graduating from Madill High School in 1980, she took a job at the Marshall County Treasurer’s office, the following year. Larkin explained that she was friends with the then Treasurer’s daughter and was asked if she would be interested in filling an open clerk’s position at the office.
“When a job opening came open, which was in December 1981, she asked me if I wanted the position and I said yes,' she said. 'And I have been here ever since.”
At the time, Larkin was working in retail and considering becoming a dental hygienist but said she just fell in love with the role within her community and her coworkers.
“I just love working here with the people. I have never thought of doing anything else,' she said.
Larkin said she has been able to see first-hand the growththatMarshallCounty is experiencing in her role as Treasurer.
“We are a very lucky county, there are counties around us that are not as lucky.”
She noted the lake and the housing around the lake are what draw people to the area. While future tax revenue from potential housing development will be a “wait and see” depending on the market, Larkin expressed how fortunate Marshall County residents are.
“It does help and our schools are lucky. People gripeabouttheroadsbutthey need to travel because roads everywhere are bad.”
Larkin has been married to Michael, who has worked for a boat dock company in Marshall County, since 2002. They have two adult children and five grandchildren ranging in ages from 21 down to seven years. Larkin said that she finds joy in being a grandma and cherishes the time that she gets to spend with each of them when she can.
“It is wonderful being a grandma, you get to spoil themandyougettolovethem all the time.”
When Larkin and her husband aren’t working they enjoy spending time on their property with their horses, ponies, cows, dogs and cats. Larkin said that she also has a garden that keeps her busy and has been making salsa to enjoyandgiveawaytofamily.
“Right now, we have a garden, last night I put up 15 pints of salsa,” she stated.
Larkinsaidthatsheenjoys her role as treasurer and looks forward to continuing to serve the residents of Marshall County.
“I just love my job, I really do love my job.”