Viola S. Larsen
1933 – 2024
Santa Clara/Salina, Utah – Our kind and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Viola Simpson Larsen, age 90, passed away June 25, 2024, in Santa Clara, Utah. She was born December 4, 1933, in Axtell, a daughter of Mike and Mable Leona Watts Simpson. She grew up in Axtell and Gunnison, where she enjoyed swimming, reading, going on canyon rides with her aunts and uncles, and playing games at night. She graduated from Gunnison High School, Class of 1953.
Viola married Don A. Larsen April 19, 1950, in the Manti LDS Temple. Together they had five children: Roy Don, Jennilee, Gayland, Norma and Brenda. They were later divorced.
She lived and raised her family in Salina. She worked at Utah Independent Bank for 23 years. She also worked at the Turkey Plant in Salina. She did ironing and cleaning for Virginia Dickert for 20 years and others in Salina.
Viola is a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints and served in many callings over her lifetime, including serving in the Relief Society, Primary and Young Women’s Program. She especially enjoyed working for 18 years in the Manti LDS Temple. Viola was a true example of hard work, faith and serving. She loved to serve people and was always helping someone until she couldn’t any longer.
She loved her kids, grandkids and great grandkids more than anything and remembered them all on every birthday and Christmas every year. She enjoyed going to all their events. She enjoyed walking, reading, knitting, playing Triominos and Yahtzee, doing puzzles and traveling. She quilted for many years at the North Sevier Senior Citizen Center. Her scones and bread were the best.
Viola spent the last 4 years living in Santa Clara with her daughter, Brenda. She met a lot more wonderful friends to add to her many, many friends of every age group. She will truly be missed.
Viola is survived by her children: Gayland (Debra) Larsen, Norma (Glen) Hunt, all of Aurora; Brenda (Kirk) Pendleton of Santa Clara; 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by a son, Roy Don Larsen; a daughter, Jennilee Larsen; her parents; and her siblings: Leora (Milton) Peterson, Arval (Carol) Shaw; Bobby (Kenna) Simpson; Stanley (DeNeece) Simpson.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dixie Home Hospice and
Rehab of St. George for the tender care they showed our Mom during her final months. You are truly angels on earth.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 12 Noon in the Salina Creek LDS Ward Chapel, 85 South 100 East in Salina. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home in Salina, Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services.
Live streaming of the services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Viola’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.
Burial will be in the Redmond Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.
Online guest book at: www.springerturner.com
