Doreen Larson Larson passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Thursday, April 28 after a short bout with cancer. She was born December 6, 1934 in Blackfoot, Idaho to Stanley and LaVaun Larson. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central States Mission where she met her future husband Floyd Leon Larson. She earned a degree in marketing and accounting from the University of Washington. They married in the Salt Lake Temple August 18, 1960. Her focus in life was caring for her family. She later served a humanitarian mission to Kathmandu, Nepal with her husband. She also loved working in the temple.
Doreen will be remembered for her strong work ethic, her faith, and her commitment to her friends and family. She loved playing games and was extremely competitive. The goal of all her children and grandchildren was to beat her. She also loved travel and had a full travel schedule planned this summer. She was disappointed when she realized she would be unable to go. Doreen also loved plays and frequently attended the Shakespearian Festival as well as the Hale Center Theater.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband. Doreen is survived by her seven children: Kendra (Jeff), Blake (Melissa), Craig (Jennifer), Valerie (Jess-deceased), Mark (Liz), Kerstin (Dave), and Scott (Cara), 24 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren.
The family would love your memories of Doreen here for us to read. Please provide specific anecdotes of your time with her rather than condolences. We appreciate the love and concern you have for her and us.
Dear Larson Family,
ReplyDeleteWe have such wonderful memories of your parents. They were some of the first people to welcome us into the ward when we moved in 20 years ago. We will never forget your mother's smile and positive attitude. She always happy, even when we knew she was going through extrememly difficult times when your father was so sick. It was impossible to feel sorry for her, because she didn't feel sorry for herself. What a great example she was after his death, too. She didn't dive into depression, instead she found ways to keep spreading her love and testimony of the gospel. She immediatley asked to go back to the Primary where she felt she was more needed than in the Relief Society. The first New Year's Eve after your father's death she hosted a party, just like they used to do before he died. We spent many fun nights at their home having dinner, playing games and laughing. We will never forget the special spirit we felt being in their home as your father gave both of our sons their Patriarchal Blessings. What a blessing that was for us. We truly feel that Floyd and Doreen Larsen were angels, and we were lucky enough to be blessed to be their friends. We will miss Doreen, but we are so glad that she didn't have to suffer, and we know that she is so happy to be with her dear Floyd.
Love,
Steve and Barbara Olsen
Three weeks ago, I went to the Draper Temple and got to spend some time with Doreen - it's hard to imagine that she has left us so quickly. When I saw her in the hospital last Wednesday, I have to admit I prayed that she would not linger too long. No one wanted to see Doreen suffer. I know she is with Floyd and is energetically watching over her loved ones. It was fun watching Doreen sit in Relief Society with little baby Parker on her lap. She loves her family so much!
ReplyDeleteI am personally disappointed that I never knew she liked to play games and was very competitive! If we have boardgames in heaven, I'm planning on playing with Doreen!
My prayers are with the Larson family. Thank you for sharing your Mom and Grandmother with us! She will be so missed.
Love,
Kathryn Turley
I have great memories of my Aunt Doreen and Uncle Floyd inviting my wife and me to their house for dinner when we were newlyweds in college. I didn't get the chance to see her very often when I was growing up, but she made us feel right at home. Aunt Doreen will be missed.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Chris Larson (Bob's son)
One of our favorite memories of sister larson is when she invited our family to her house for a family home evening. She cooked a fabulous meal and had a wonderful lesson that she had prepared for our family. It really was a special night for us. She always had a smile on and we will truly miss her, but know that she is happy with her sweet husband.
ReplyDeleteLove, Dirk and Patti Anderson @ family
I will never ever forget the first time I beat her in Rack-O, I think she was as shocked as I was! I am thankful for the time I was able to be a member of her family and am thankful for the great example she has shown to my two boys as their grandmother. I know that she and your Dad will be greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteSteph
Larsons,
ReplyDeleteThank you for being who you are, a wonderful family. It was great to see all of you. We loved your mom and dad. Thanks to Floyd for his example and all the terrific teaching. Thanks to Doreen for her great smile and totally positive outlook on life. As you know, we had the opportunity to travel with her. Talk about energy, she always led the way even on long and difficult staircases. Never saw anyone play games like her, tough competitor. They raised a wonderful family that we are proud to know. Can you imagine the reunion,WOW! Thanks for all the memories.
Paul and Jill Seppi
Here's what put on my blog at Mormanity.org:
ReplyDeleteLast Monday I was in Utah for the funeral of one of the most remarkable women I know, my mother-in-law, Doreen Larson. I've never been able to understand mother-in-law jokes, but I bet she could appreciate son-in-law jokes. One of the things that I like about her and her now-deceased husband was the loving concern about the person her daughter, Kendra, was hanging out with. Was that strange tall kid trustworthy and good enough for her daughter?
Doreen's values were so different from the rest of the world. Case in point: As a bright student at the University of Washington in her junior or senior year, she was one of two finalists for an outstanding scholarship. Coming from a family without much money, the scholarship would have meant a lot. She wasn't getting any money from her family for college but was completely on her own, working to put herself through college. Now she had a shot at a significant scholarship that would have made life easier. In fact, in her interview as a finalist, the committee essentially told her that she was going to be their pick. How exciting! As she left the interview, she met a man waiting out in the hall and started chatting (she's such a friendly and loving person). She learned that he was the other candidate scheduled for an interview with the committee right after her slot. She learned that he was married and had kids, and learned that he really could use the money.
You know what she did? I just love this about her, and didn't know the story until the funeral. My wife didn't even know until the night before when Doreen's brother shared this story that Doreen kept pretty much to herself. She decided that this other man, a stranger with a family, needed the money more than she did. She made her decision on the spot, excused herself from the conversation with the other candidate, and went back to the committee she had just met with to decline the scholarship. She declined it--to help a stranger, a man who probably never learned how magnanimous and selfless this woman was. We didn't know the story until after her death, but we knew her character and know that this is exactly the kind of thing she could and would do for others.
Continued:
ReplyDeleteAfter raising 7 wonderful children, she and her husband chose to go on a mission to serve others in Nepal. This was not an easy place to live. The poverty and challenges of the people could be overwhelming. When surrounded by numerous people begging for money from Americans, it's easy to grow callous and just ignore everybody. But she prepared some money and food every day to be able to help, seeking to follow the Spirit to do the most good with her giving. She had some powerful spiritual experiences in finding people she could help, in addition to the primary service work they were doing in an institution. Always looking for ways to help others, even under trying circumstances--that was Doreen Larson. Quietly, privately, without fanfare or press releases, she was serving people throughout her life and lifting others in so many ways.
She was one of the healthiest and most active people I know. How surprising that she would be diagnosed with cancer and then pass away just a few days later. Mercifully, she had time to say goodbye.
As an example of her vigor, when my wife and I and a son went to Barcelona, Spain a couple years ago, we were delighted that she was able to go with us. (Again, I don't get mother-in-law jokes. It was always a pleasure and honor to have her around.) Though well into her 70s, she had no trouble keeping pace with us as we trekked through the city, or maybe we were trying to keep pace with her. Vigorous, high energy, and a just a lot of fun.
Her love and charity weren't always apparent, though. Yes, I'm referring to her penchant for crushing--with a smile--all who stood in her way when playing card games. Canasta, Uno, Rack-O, cribbage, you name it--she was tough and merciless, usually winning with glee. I guess you can call it tough love. She was one of the toughest when holding cards. How I regret that I won't be able to avenge myself and attempt a rare victory until after the Resurrection. Unfortunately, by then she will have honed her skills to perfection, but I still look forward to the fun of sitting at a table with her.
Such a delightful and powerful woman, an incredible mother, and a humble but bold servant of Jesus Christ who changed many parts of the world for good. How grateful I am that my children have such people as part of their heritage.
Happy Mother's Day, Doreen, from all of us!
A few more notes:
Like my own parents, Doreen and her husband served as missionaries and met on their missions. When she met Elder Larson, an elder sharing her last name of Larson, she kept a watch on him because she was worried that the Larson name would be jeopardized by any bad behavior. She initially thought he was a tad arrogant but would learn he was just shy. She worked in the mission home in the Central States Mission in Missouri (to her chagrin--she wanted to be out proselyting, but her advanced office and organizational skills were probably indispensable) and Floyd would soon be the Assistant to the President, frequenting the mission home also. She came to realize what a remarkable man he was. Years later her husband would scandalize her in jest by claiming that they used to hold hands under the table at the mission home. "Floyd!!" I don't think they did, but I have no problem with good missionaries recognizing something very good in others on their mission, while staying dedicated to their work and abiding by the rules as I am sure they did. But what a sweet romance that relationship would become, one that was not erased by death.
How strange it is today to not be able to pick up the phone and wish her a happy Mother's Day. I hope she gets this message somehow. How we miss her, but how proud we are of who she is!
My first memory of Doreen was over 30 years ago, when my family moved to this neighborhood. I was invited to a sleepover in the Larson's backyard. In the morning, Doreen cooked us the best breakfast, and I thought, "I am going to like it here." I loved to see Doreen walking and hear about her travel plans. And I loved to see Doreen serving in the temple - she would always give me a hug when she saw me there. She also served in the Nursery (when she was in her seventies!) - and she prepared beautiful lessons, which I know brought the Spirit into the lives of our ward children. Doreen was always giving service and sharing her testimony. I think of Doreen and Bishop Larson as perfect missionary companions, transferred back together. I know they were a great team here. My sister Kaye wants to say how thankful she is that Doreen took the notes when Bishop Larson gave Kaye her Patriarchal Blessing. Doreen radiated goodness and integrity. She treated all of us friends, and I will miss my friend, Doreen.
ReplyDeleteWith love,
Deanne Child
Doreen was and will remain one of the nicest, most patient, & compassionate people I have ever known.
ReplyDeleteWords can not express how much I appreciate the acts of charity she and Floyd gave when my parents were ill.
The neighborhood will not be the same without her.
Eric Stevens