Vivian A Larsen

    Our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to all, Vivian A Larsen, returned to her heavenly home on Friday, January 19, 2024 at her home, surrounded by her loving family at age 95.

    Vivian was born in Centerfield, Utah on November 4, 1928 to Melvin Wallace and Ludell Tollestrup Anderson.  She grew up on a farm where there were many chores including herding cows and feeding lambs on a bottle.  She herded sheep with her dad and loved going with him wherever he went including trips to different places to sell cars.  She topped beets and worked in the Triangle and Wisteria Cafes at a young age.  She attended Centerfield and Gunnison Elementary Schools and graduated from Gunnison Valley High School on May 18, 1947.

    On June 18, 1947, she married Don Charles Larsen in the Manti LDS Temple for time and all eternity.  Don preceded her in death on November 18, 2014.  Vivian was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in Primary, Sunday School, Relief Society and served with Don in the Mormon Miracle Pageant Commissary for two years.

    Vivian worked for Pacific Trail Sportswear in Manti for 20 years and then for Pyke MFG. Co. For 11 years.  Following her retirement, she worked at her son’s convenience store in Sterling (Terry’s) for approximately 15 plus years and enjoyed all the people she came in contact with.  She and Don enjoyed raising beautiful flowers every year and people would come from many areas just to enjoy the view.  She and Don always raised a beautiful garden and she enjoyed canning fruits and vegetables for her family and was an excellent cook and baker.  She was a hard worker and never idle, she always said, “there’s always something to be done,” even up until her passing.

    She loved summers and enjoyed camping with her family and just enjoyed being outdoors.  Her family was most important in her life and she was dedicated in taking care of each one.  She survived breast cancer in 1999 and never let it get in the way of living her life to the fullest.  She loved people and welcomed everyone who stopped by to see her and never let anyone leave without offering them something to eat.  She loved it when her family would get together and laugh and have a good time, she had a wonderful sense of humor and was so much fun to be around.

    She enjoyed watching western tv shows, especially Gunsmoke for the last few years and loved watching Jeopardy.  She will be dearly missed by family and friends.

    Vivian is survived by her children: Melvin Brent Larsen, West Valley City; Deanna Lynn Anderson, Sterling; Charles Scott (Cindy) Larsen, Nephi; daughter-in-law, Yvonne Larsen, Sterling; sister, Dellene (Blaine) Allred, Pleasant Grove; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

    She is preceded in death by her husband, Don; son, Terry Lee Larsen; infant daughter, Barbara Dawn Larsen; great-grandson, Zane Beebe; daughter-in-law, Valina Larsen; granddaughter-in-law, Marnie Anderson; siblings: Austin M (Gertrude) Anderson, Fern (Edwin L) Malmgren, Neil C (Sylvia) Anderson, Dick (Twilla) Anderson, Jay B (Leah) Anderson, Marva (Roger) Daniels, Bernice (Derb) Wood, Fay Anderson, and Don W Anderson.

    The family would like to express appreciation to Dr Bryce Barton and PA Wade Anderson for her care while struggling to recover from hip surgery, and complications of Covid.  We also thank Shelley and Rachel of the Gunnison Hospital and Hospice for their kindness and compassion while caring for our mother.

    Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. in the Sterling Ward Chapel.  Friends may call prior to services from 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Interment will be in the Sterling Cemetery.  Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.  Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com