Alma Arden Larson

Alma Arden Larson, 91, died January 24, 2023 at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah, surrounded by his family.  He was born on August 26, 1931, in Ferron, Utah, to Anna Marie Dittmer and Carl Victor Larson.  He was raised on his family farm and learned the value of hard work from his father, mother and siblings.  He wasn’t afraid of work but realized early that he wanted to attend college and earn a degree.  He was drafted into the armed services and served in the Korean war.  Prior to his service in the military, he received a spiritual impression through his patriarchal blessing that Joyce Peterson would be his wife. After returning, they began dating and it didn’t take long for Joyce to realize the great man he was.  They were married in the Manti temple on June 10, 1955.  Through their years of marriage, if Joyce was in the room, Arden gravitated to her and either held her hand or tucked her under his arm.  They shared 67 wonderful years together.

Arden graduated from Utah State University in Landscape Architecture and helped create beautiful landscapes across the state.  He loved spending time with Joyce and their 6 children at their family cabin at the Ferron Reservoir.  He loved the outdoors which allowed him to hike, hunt, fish and spent many nights with his sons on scouting activities.  As a father, Arden was ahead of his time.  He changed diapers, soothed fussy babies, and helped with night-time feedings.  You knew a baby had Arden’s stamp of approval if he proclaimed, “What a chunk!” or “What a cutie!”  And he approved of every baby, whether related to him or not.

He and Joyce served missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Bucharest Romania and Nauvoo Illinois missions.  They loved the time they spent serving and made forever friendships.  They also served six years as hosts at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.  He served in many church callings and embraced every opportunity to serve with enthusiasm.  He had a beautiful voice and if he wasn’t singing, he was usually humming or whistling.  Babies were drawn to him (and his shirt pocket full of pens) and others loved his friendly and outgoing personality.  After retirement, he volunteered at an inner city elementary school where he worked with struggling readers.  

His love of farming never left him, and each year he grew an impressive vegetable garden.  He liked to say he was “heading out to water the ranch” as he worked in the yard and garden.  He was generous with the bounty from his garden, and neighbors knew the bag of vegetables left on their porches was from the Garden of Arden.  Throughout his 91 years, Arden was a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ and His gospel.  He showed his devotion in the way he lived and loved every day of his life.

Arden is survived by his wife, Joyce Petersen Larson; children Jerilyn (Mike) Colvin, Richelle (Kendall) Heaps, Von (Karen) Larson, Caren (Rob) Werner, Stuart (Briana) Larson, and Jordan (Melissa) Larson, Jay Larson (Brother), Neil Larson (Brother), Carol Larson (Sister).  He had 28 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Anna Larson, and Beth Taylor (sister).   

A viewing will be held on Sunday, January 29 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and one at 9:00 - 10:30 am on Monday January 30, 2023.  The funeral service will be held on Monday, January 30, 2023 at 11:00 am. The viewings and funeral service will be held at the 2000 East 3900 South LDS Chapel in Salt Lake City Utah.  

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Church perpetual education or missionary funds for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://donate.churchofjesuschrist.org/donations/church/perpetual-education-fund

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/tools/help/online-donations-united-states?lang=eng

For those not able to attend the funeral in person, it will be streamed at the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/c/SaltLakeValleyViewStakeBroadcasts (https://www.youtube.com/c/SaltLakeValleyViewStakeBroadcasts)

Here is the direct link to the event (this link is case sensitive)

https://youtu.be/ilG1XSkeLwY (https://youtu.be/ilG1XSkeLwY)