Birdeen Willardson

Larkin Willardson
1933 – 2014

Birdeen Larkin Willardson, 80, of Centerville, UT passed away Saturday, May 31, 2014 in Bountiful, UT of causes incident to age. She was born August 15, 1933 in Woods Cross, UT to Nephi Arnold and Neva Marie Gwynn Larkin. She was the oldest of five children. She spent her youth growing up in the farming communities of Snowville, UT; Nyssa, OR; and New Plymouth, ID. She graduated from Fruitland High School in Fruitland, ID and went on to attend L.D.S. Business College in Salt Lake City, UT. While working at a bank in Salt Lake, she decided to serve her country by joining the United States Air Force (WAFS). Her time in the military was spent in Texas and California. While stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA she met Harvey C. Willardson of Ephraim, UT, also a member of the Air Force. They married December 11, 1958, in the Manti LDS Temple. After their discharge from the Air Force, they made their home in North Salt Lake, UT, where they raised their five children. In 2003, she moved to Centerville, UT to be close to family and extended family. She made many new friends in her neighborhood.
Birdeen worked for J.C. Penney’s in Bountiful, Rocky Mount Heath Care in Bountiful and Legacy House Assisted Living in Bountiful. She donated time working at the LDS Humanitarian Center. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, and needle work. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She took an avid interest in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her four living children: Bernadette (Merrill) McCracken, Idaho Falls, ID; Christian (Andra), West Jordan, UT; Darlin (Michael) Gammon, Corona, CA; Ephraim (Tracey), Centerville, UT; 13 Grand Children; 2 Great Grand Children. She is also survived by her siblings: Douglas (Fae) Larkin, Sacramento, CA; Sheldon (Shirley) Larkin, Springville, UT; Marie (Lee) Roberts, Kennewick, WA; Delia (Bernard) Smith, Syracuse, UT; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey; daughter, Agnes; and granddaughter, Amanda Willardson. The family wishes to thank her caregivers at Heritage Place in Bountiful for their service to our mother and grandmother.
A viewing will be held on Friday, June 6, 2014, from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, UT, where friends may call. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2014, at 2:00 P.M. at Russon Brothers Mortuary Chapel. There will be a second viewing prior to the funeral from 1:00 P.M. to 1:40 P.M. Interment will follow the funeral at the Bountiful City Cemetery.
Instead of flowers she would like people to donate to Humanitarian Center or a charity of your choice.