Joan Eliza Worthen Larson's Obituary
Joan Eliza Worthen Larson, age 90, our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother,
sister, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully on the evening of August 7, 2022 in Kaysville,
Utah.
Joan was born on September 3, 1931 in Los Angeles, California to Theodore Worthen of
Vernal, Utah and Cornelia Catherine Jensen Worthen of Randers, Denmark. She was the
eighth child of nine children.
Joan was raised in Los Angeles, California until she was in the 7 th grade. In 1941 when she
was 10 years old, her father worked at BMI (Basic Magnesium Inc.) between Boulder City and
Las Vegas, Nevada near the Lake Mead and Pittman area. They lived there until her family
moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. She graduated Scottsdale High School and was a cheerleader
there.
After WWII, she met Lewis Kent Larson as a blind date at a Gold and Green Ball. They were
married on June 29, 1951. Joan and Kent were blessed with eight children; Jeanie, Russell,
Mitchell, Kurt, Evelyn, Garold, Mary and Grant. For Joan, her family was her biggest joy and
priority in her life. She would drop anything to help them.
They lived in California for several years before they moved to Arizona. They spent most of
their married life in Arizona. They spent 25 years together before they divorced in 1979. In
1991 Joan moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and then to her final residence in Kaysville, Utah in
1999.
Joan worked for many companies throughout her life. Among them were a packing plant,
Motorola in Phoenix, Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, AZ, Director of Radcliff Hall Private
School in Anaheim, CA, Director of Fairmont Private School in Anaheim, CA, Fluor Corp. in
Irvine, CA, Dairyman Magazine in Chino, CA and Utah Power in Salt Lake City, UT.
She had many talents, one of which was playing the piano by ear, filling her home with music.
She was an artist and painted outdoor scenes and portraits. She also learned how to pilot a
small plane and took flying lessons out of the Orange County, CA airport. She was also a
voracious reader and learned many things on various topics. You could ask her anything and
she would have an answer.
She was very adventurous and had traveled solo around the United States in an RV. She
loved archeology and even traveled to Peru where she climbed Machu Picchu, among other
things.
Joan was raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was a
faithful member and had a strong testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ. She served in many
church callings throughout her life, including Young Women’s Advisor, Relief Society
President to a Spanish Branch, Primary Chorister, wrote and directed the Roadshow for the
youth in her ward, served as a temple worker in the Bountiful, Utah Temple, and served a full-
time proselyting mission in Lima, Peru.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her three sisters and five brothers, and her son,
Grant Larson.
She is survived by her children: Jeanie Brockett of Corona, CA, Russell Larson (Shirley) of
Ridgway, PA, Mitchell Larson (Shauna) of North Logan, Kurt Larson (Debi) of South Ogden,
UT, Evelyn Uzzo (Jim) of Preston, ID, Garold Larson (Lisa) of Fruit Heights, UT, and Mary
Keith (Matthew) of Kaysville, UT. She has 33 Grandchildren and 53 Great-Grandchildren.
A family gathering will precede the funeral between 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. at The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Monday, August 15, 2022 at 201 South 600 East Kaysville,
Utah.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel.
Grave dedication will follow the funeral services at the Kaysville City Cemetery on 500 East
Crestwood Road, Kaysville, UT.
A luncheon will be provided for the family after the grave dedication at the church.
What’s your fondest memory of Joan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joan?
Share a story where Joan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joan you’ll never forget.
How did Joan make you smile?