Daniel Birch Larsen

Daniel Birch Larsen, 85, passed away June 4, 2011 in Payson, Utah. He was born April 5, 1926 in Monroe, Utah to Daniel Jones and Gladys Eola Tuft Larsen. He married Melba Jean Parker, June 11, 1951 in the Manti LDS Temple.

Birch graduated from South Sevier High School in Monroe and from the University of Utah School of Pharmacy. He owned and operated pharmacies in Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.

As a young man, he served a 30 month mission to Sao Paulo, Brazil, returning many years later to serve as the president of the Sao Paulo Missionary Training Center; he was a Regional Representative in Lisbon, Portugal; was president of the Barcelona Spain Mission; a stake president in McAllen, Texas and served in other organizations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved missionary work and loved to teach to gospel.

He is survived by his wife, Melba of Santaquin; children, Christine Hildreth of Dillon, MT; Charles Wynne (Leanne) Larsen of Littleton, CO; Ann (Greg) Kator of Meridian, ID; Katharine (Frank) Darquea, Santaquin; Daniel James "Bud" (Dalynda) Larsen, Temecula, CA; and Thomas (Jenifer) Larsen, Santaquin; 24 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; siblings, Kay Hallows Brown, St. George; Marilyn Larsen, Payson; Franklin Larsen, St. George; Vivan (Carolee) Larsen, Onlaska, TX; and David (Denise) Larsen, Payson.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Donna Leftwich, Karma Anderson and brother, Ole Larsen.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Santaquin 3 ^rd LDS Ward Chapel, located at 45 South 500 West in Santaquin. Friends may call at the ward chapel in Santaquin on Friday evening from 6 to 8 and again on Saturday from9:30 to 10:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Monroe City Cemetery. Funeral Directors, Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.