Bert Watson Larson

Bert Watson Larson, age 97, died on December 16, 2024, at his Bountiful home, surrounded by his wife and children. Bert was born on March 31, 1927, in Ogden, Utah to Alfred Willard and Anna Florence Watson Larson. He is survived by his wife, Betty Joan Lynn Mayer Larson and his blended family: his children Susan Larson (Gregory), Sandra Monson (Craig), Robin Horwinski (Richard), Dean (Connie), and David (Tracey); his stepchildren Donna Clayson (Gaylen), Helen Greenwood (Jim), Neil Mayer (Kathleen), Charla Schwaar (David), Karen Lee (Scott), and Lloyd Mayer (Melanie); 23 grandchildren, 29 step grandchildren, 66 greatgrandchildren, 80 step greatgrandchildren, and 2 step great-greatgrandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Patricia B. Larson and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Darrell and Nancy S. Checketts. Preceded in death by his parents, wife Laurel Rose Checketts Larson, brothers Alfred Junior and Robert Lee Larson and his sister Janet Florence Larson Wood. 

He graduated early from Ogden High School so he could join the Coast Guard during WWII. After the war, he graduated from Weber College and Utah State University with a degree in accounting. He married Laurel Checketts on March 17, 1950, in Ogden. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in 1956. After Laurel’s death in 2003, he married Betty Joan Lynn Mayer on January 23, 2004. 

Bert and Laurel established their family in Ogden, where their first four children were born. Bert started his career as an accountant and worked for Pillsbury in Ogden. In 1962, Bert was given the chance to move his family to their headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and learn computer programming when it was still in its infancy. They returned to Utah in 1968 and, shortly thereafter, their surprise baby David was born. A few months later, they built and moved into the home in Bountiful that he was still occupying at the time of his death. He ended up working for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was instrumental in writing the first membership record (MIS) and financial and donation record (FIS) computer programs for the church. He was later called on a Y2K mission because of his computer language expertise. He and Laurel served in the England Bristol Mission in 1993-94. They then served in the Bountiful LDS Temple until her death. After his marriage to Betty, they also served in the Bountiful Temple for many years. Bert enjoyed hunting, fishing, backpacking, cross-country skiing, traveling, and serving the Lord. He had a wry sense of humor that kept everyone smiling and laughing, except his grandchildren who weren’t sure if he was serious or kidding them. He also liked to end each day with a bowl of ice cream. 

A viewing will be held at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah, on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday morning, December 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse, 1825 South 800 East, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held at the same location from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. 

Graveside services will take place at the Ogden City Cemetery on Saturday afternoon. 

His funeral service will be available via Zoom on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time, using the following link: https://zoom.us/j/92884116420?pwd=dmk5ZXZ5OFZLL1R3bU54ODJQWlNuQT09#success 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Church of Jesus Christ Missionary Fund or Humanitarian Fund, or any other charity that supports improving the lives of those less fortunate.