Janice Larsen

Jan passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2014. Jan was born May 16, 1927 in American Fork, Utah. She was the fifth child of Lulu Snider Laursen and William Laursen. Bill was their first child, who married Ruby Maag. John, their second child, married Irene Cook. Rebecca Ann (Betty), their third child, married Don Fowler. Douglas, their fourth child, married Margaret Jan Myers. Janice, their fifth child, married Reid Strong Larsen. Doris, their sixth child, married Jim Jorgensen. All of her brothers and sisters had such wonderful children and she loved them with all her heart.
Janice’s school days in American Fork were the best!! She talked about them all her life, from kindergarten to being a senior in high school (from 1927 to 1950). She always called herself “a small town country girl.” She went to good old Harrington Elementary where she learned to play jacks at recess – no one could beat her! She remembered all of her teachers and loved all of them. Jan walked a mile up the high school hill, even on snowy mornings. Sometimes, Mr. Bird (music teacher) stopped by to give a ride. Jan was a cheerleader. As Brad, her son would say, “Once a cheerleader, always a cheerleader”, and she was and is indeed! Jan loved life and all people.
Jan loved to match colors, putting an outfit together to match perfectly! She wasn’t proud about it, but considered it perhaps a given talent and desire!
Jan went to beauty school in Provo, and loved her teacher, Mrs. Vic Matthews. She earned her degree, and worked in Provo for a year or two. Later, she had her own beauty shop on Main Street in American Fork for some five years. When she and Reid were married, she had saved enough money for a beautiful wedding dress, their wedding and a down payment on their first home in Glendale Park. She also saved for all of the furniture therein. She cut Reid’s hair all of their married life – he never knew a barber! She loved this job, and he was “OK about the trim”. She cut his hair and blessed his head each time!
Jan is a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was honored to hold many Church callings such as Primary President, Junior Sunday School President, and numerous Relief Society callings. She participated in everything from decorating tables to serving in the Nursery. Her favorite callings were teaching a Beehive class, teaching children in Primary and Visiting Teaching. She dearly loved her Visiting Teaching Partners and those they visited. “Loving ‘em” was her motto.
Reid Strong Larsen and Janice Laursen Larsen were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 29, 1949. The ceremony was performed by Spencer W. Kimball. That day, her parents were also married for “Time and Eternity”. After marrying Reid, they moved to an apartment on Capitol Hill. They say, “Once a Capitol Hiller, always a Capitol Hiller.” It was the old rock chapel on Capitol Hill that she gained a strong testimony of the gospel. After some years living in their first home in Glendale Park, they moved back to Capitol Hill on DeSoto Street.
Jan was a devoted mother. Reid and her children always came first. The children are: Pamela Sue Larsen Pearce, Martha Ann (Marty) Larsen Browning (Randy), Bradley Reid Larsen (Suzanne), and Kristen Carrie Larsen Keller (Ken). Her grandchildren are: C.J. (Reid) Pearce, Jana Newbould, Taylor Pearce (deceased), Aaron Browning, Lorie & Grant Mabey, Nick & Chelsea Browning, Lindsey & Jed Salmon, Haley Larsen, Katie Larsen, Dan Larsen, Logan Keller, Lauren & Mackie Smith, Carly & Bobbie Jenkins, Madison Shay & Spencer Harris, and Miles Keller. There are also ten great-grandchildren.
Jan would like to leave her testimony and wrote the following: “And now, as I have finished using my earthly body, I can put it away for now. It has served me so well! I have loved giving birth. I have loved working, keeping my house clean, many a meal I have fixed and have served in many Church callings. I love children! I have loved my neighbors! Life is a good testing ground, and as we say in Primary, “Choose the right” and life will be happier.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 22, 2014 at the Bountiful, Utah Central Stake Center, 640 South 750 East, Bountiful. A viewing will be held on Friday evening from 6:30 -8:30 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, and Saturday morning 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the church prior to services.