Reed Larsen

Reed Larsen

Las Cruces, NM/formerly of Richfield

"Vaya con Dios"

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and dear friend, Reed Larsen, 89, passed away peacefully in his home in Las Cruces, NM, on August 13, 2015 of causes incident to age. Reed was born in Richfield, Utah on April 19, 1926 to Enoch Rolf and Mabel Malinda Christiansen Larsen. He graduated from Richfield High School and then Brigham Young University with a degree in Physics.

Reed married Irva Leora Warnock of Sigurd, Utah on August 17, 1950 in the Manti Temple. They made their home in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where Reed spent his career at White Sands Missile Range a s a project management engineer. H e scheduled and documented all missile firings for projects such as Pershing and Sergeant Missile systems. After retirement, he worked for many years in the Las Cruces school system.

Reed lived a life of integrity, love and service. He is remembered fondly by all who met him. Nobody was a stranger to Reed Larsen, as he greeted everyone he met with a smile and quirky comment such as: "My name's Larsen, I suppose you know yours?" He especially loved children and they loved him in return. Friends, family, community and congregation will miss him greatly.

Reed was an active and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served two full-time missions for the church—the Western States Mission (1947-1949) and the Nauvoo Illinois Mission along with his wife Irva (1998-2000). Reed loved the Gospel and served his church in many other capacities such as High Priest Group Leader, Sunday School teacher, ward clerk, high councilman, and temple worker in the Albuquerque LDS Temple for 11½ years.

Dad loved and served his nation in the Navy as a Second Class Seaman and Class A Torpedoman (1944-1946). He was also active in many city and community projects as a true patriotic American.

Reed is survived by his wife of 65 years ; children: Lexia Lynne (Rick) Gibson, Melinda (Donald) Walker, Tamara Larsen, Rodney Reed (Marja) Larsen, Whitney (Craig) Davis, and Elizabeth (Brad) Hansen; 24 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; sister, Myrna Carol Gulbransen, Monroe; and brother, David Roger Larsen, Denver.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Sarah Larsen; granddaughter, Rachael Walker; siblings: Miriam Olcott, Harold E. Larsen, Genevieve Dennison, Lamont Larsen, Don Rolf Larsen, Ruth Payne Craw, and Roland Wayne.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sigurd, Utah Ward Chapel, 30 S 100 W, where friends may call from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Sigurd City Cemetery with military rites by the V.F. W. Sevier Post #5050. A memorial service will be held in Las Cruces, New Mexico on August 29, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the LDS chapel located at 2915 East Idaho Ave, Las Cruces, New Mexico. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.