Cover photo for Stephen Joseph Larsen's Obituary
Stephen Joseph Larsen Profile Photo

Stephen Joseph Larsen

December 24, 1943 — November 17, 2018

Stephen Joseph Larsen

Stephen “Steve” Joseph Larsen was born December 24, 1943 a treasured little Christmas gift to Alton Royal Larsen Sr. and Mary Eliza Hansen in Salt Lake City. He passed away at home November 17, 2018 of complications due to vascular dementia and chronic pulmonary lung failure.

He cheerfully endured many health problems over the years. Well done thou good and faithful servant. Steve was outgoing and friendly even as a small child. While living in Seattle, Washington near a naval base he would invite the sailors he met at church to Sunday dinner. His mother gladly obliged by “adding a little more water to the soup.” He inherited an appreciation of great music from his parents and learned to play the piano as a young child.

His family returned to Utah where he graduated from Olympus High School Class of ‘62. He served a full time mission to Texas for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Upon his return he attended Carbon College. He married his “sweetheart forever,” Loretta Elaine Rodgers on September 8, 1967 for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple. They moved to St. George, Utah so that Steve could attend Dixie College where he studied music theory, music history and music composition.

They returned to live in Salt Lake where he worked as a mechanical custodian for the Church. However, Steve was a musician at heart. He played the E Flat Alto Sax in the Olympus Jr High Band, Olympus High Marching Band and the Salt Lake Post Office Band. He performed in many parades and concerts. Steve loved hearing the applause and cheers of parade and concert goers; he thrilled at their appreciation of hearing a good marching band. He also played the piano, flute, clarinet, ukulele and banjo for fun. He played Scott Joplin’s The Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag from memory on the piano. He wrote two jazzy songs “A Cat Named Fluff” and “Taffy” for the saxophone with piano accompaniment. His dream job was to form his own dance band.

He and his wife Loretta were truly sweethearts and best friends for over 51 years. They were blessed with two beautiful, super smart children that he adored. Steve took his priesthood calling seriously serving two stake missions. He was thrilled to teach people about the gospel of Jesus Christ that he loved so much. He also served as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple.

Steve loved being one of Santa’s helpers until he was no longer able to lift children up onto his lap. He spread a lot of joy including warming his own heart. Christmas was his very favorite time of the year and red his favorite color.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary Sharon and granddaughter Mercedie. He is survived by his wife, Loretta, children: Russell (Naomia), Rebecca (Nathan) Kirby, 7 grandchildren: Brittany, Deavin, Crystal, Dixie, Chance, Dakota and Andrea, 2 great grandchildren Adryk and Alexia, and two siblings, Alton R Larsen Jr and Patricia Jensen.

Funeral services will be held at the Winder 11th Ward (951 East 3825 South, Millcreek, UT) at 12:00 noon Monday, November 26, 2018. A viewing will be held Sunday evening, November 25, 2018 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the church and Monday, November 26, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Interment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. A full obituary can be viewed at Serenicare.com

We would like to thank Intermountain Homecare and Hospice, Jewish Family Services Dementia Support Group, Treasured Moments Home Care, family, friends, neighbors and ward members for their love, kindness and dedicated service.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Stephen Joseph Larsen, please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Visitation

Sunday, November 25, 2018

6:00 - 8:00 pm (Mountain time)

LDS Chapel

Millcreek, UT

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Visitation

Monday, November 26, 2018

11:00 - 11:45 am (Mountain time)

LDS Chapel

Millcreek, UT

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Monday, November 26, 2018

Starts at 12:00 pm (Mountain time)

LDS Chapel

Millcreek, UT

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 9

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree