Lois Manwill Larsen

1921 ~ 2013
Lois Manwill Larsen, cherished wife, adored mother, beloved grandmother and great grand-mother, faithful servant, loyal friend and caring neighbor, returned to her Heavenly Father on Oct. 4, 2013. Born February 18, 1921 in Richfield, Idaho, to Mary Elizabeth and Ferrin Lamar (Fay) Manwill, Lois never lost the common touch that her rural upbringing afforded her. She lived to serve…her God, her family and her friends. Lois was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and bore her testimony boldly in the way she lived. She served a full-time mission to the Eastern States (entering the mission on Pearl Harbor Day), where she met the love of her life, John Anderson Larsen at the Elmyra, N.Y. train station. Their courtship, which began after they both completed their missions, spanned the distances of the Pacific Ocean, while John served his country in the Coast Guard during World War II. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 8, 1946. Lois and John had an exemplary marriage. They invested their time and energy in their family. Lois ran a loving, nurturing home, while John was busy as an educator and serving in time-demanding church leadership positions.
Always eager to serve, Lois never missed the opportunity to bake a little happiness for a neighbor in need, usually in the form of a lemon pie or raisin-filled cookies. She was famous for remembering birthdays, keeping an exhaustive journal and maintaining a positive yet practical outlook on life. A born traveler, Lois cherished the opportunity to see the world. One of her last projects was a scrapbook highlighting her visits to many destinations from Anaheim to Athens and Niagara Falls to the Nile. In her later years, Lois enjoyed the opportunity for church service alongside her husband-as they presided over the Oregon Portland Mission, as she served as Matron of the Jordan River Temple and as they served together in the Translation Department of the LDS Church. Lois measured her legacy in the unit of eternal relationships. She is survived by a posterity numbering 96, including her children: daughter Deanne (Gary) Hanson, Midway; sons Dennis (Kay), Sandy; Brent (Tineke) Highland; Bryant (Deborah) Highland; Shaun (Heidi) Alpine; and son-in-law Richard, Salt Lake City; 30 grandchildren, 16 grandchildren in law and 40 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Ila (Bruce) Ryan, North Salt Lake. She was preceded in death by her husband, daughter Julene, grandson Eric and great grandson Dallas.
Funeral services will be held at the Holladay North Stake Center 4395 S. Albright Drive (2145 East), Holladay, on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 11:00 a.m. Viewings will be Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. at the church and again Wednesday 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral services.
Arrangements under the direction of McDougal Funeral Home.