Karen Larson

Click below to listen to the funeral service. Available until April 16, 2018.

Karen Bergstedt Nilsen Larson passed away comfortably on January 9, 2018.  Karen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 3, 1935 to Sigurd H. Nilsen and Hildeborg Bergstedt.  She graduated from Davis High School in 1953 and worked diligently throughout her life to support her loved ones.   Her many accomplishments included Keypunch operator at Hill Air Force Base in Layton, Utah and Computer Operator with the 56th Supply Squadron at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona. She was one of the first trained binary writers and helped transition to Personal Computers from keypunch. But her greatest accomplishment was her family.

After two near misses she finally found the love of her life, John H. Larson.  They were married in Texas on November 25, 1966.  John was a mechanical engineer working job to job. This gave Karen and her family an opportunity to live in various parts of the country, eventually, settling in Glendale, Arizona. One of Karen’s proudest moments in life was watching the moon landing in 1969.  John had helped design an essential part of the Land Rover Module.

Karen loved horses.  She never tired of telling stories about participating in rodeo opening ceremonies and barrel racing. Karen had a patriotic spirit which she expressed by singing the songs of America. She thoroughly loved reading books, collecting dolls and knitting baby blankets for family members. She loved being with family: camping in Brighton, trips to Yellowstone, swimming in the Great Salt Lake, family reunions and just being with her cousins.

She also had a great love for her Norwegian heritage.  She would relate stories of good old times in the Norwegian community and of her ancestors.  This instilled in her a love for Christmastime, especially the traditions that came from her family: Fattimenger, Pepper cookies, and Lutefisk as well as the traditional family gathering on Christmas Eve.  Living in Arizona she had to create her own family’s Christmas Eve traditions, sticking with the Arizona theme, Popo’s Mexican Restaurant was a Christmas Eve dinner essential.

Karen was all about babies. The best day of her life is when her granddaughter, Maggie was born. Maggie was Mor Mor’s world.

Karen is preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings (Maria Kloogh, Sigurd Nilsen, and Annette Meacham) as well as various in-laws.  She is survived by her daughter Rondi (Jim) McGill, her son John Larson (Gretchen), and her favorite granddaughter Maggie. She will be greatly missed by many family member and neighbors.

We are grateful for your love, support and companionship throughout her life.

Services will be held on Monday, January 15, 2018 at 11:00 am at the East Millcreek 1st Ward, 2702 East Evergreen Avenue, Salt Lake City.  A viewing will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2018 from 7:00pm to 9:00 pm at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, Salt Lake City, and at the church on Monday from 9:30am to 10:30am prior to services. 

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 11:00am at Resthaven Park Cemetery, 6450 West Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ. Friends and family are invited to visit Friday, January 19, from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 North 103^rd Ave, Sun City, AZ.