Stanley Ericksen Larsen

Stanley Ericksen Larsen 1931 ~ 2008 PLEASANT VIEW- Stan E. Larsen, 77, passed peacefully from congestive heart failure Saturday, March 29th in his home at Pleasant View Utah, with his family at his side. Stan was the son of Eva and Loren Croft Larsen. He was born Feb. 4, 1931 in Mt. Pleasant Utah on his father and grandfather's sheep ranch. After the depression in 1937 his family moved to Provo, Utah, where Stan was raised and graduated in 1949 from Provo High. In Sept. of 1950 Stan enrolled in Brigham Young University. The Korean War came in Dec. of 1950 and he enlisted for four years in the United States Naval Air Force. He served with the FAU Commander Air Force Pacific Fleet, out of the naval air station in San Diego California, until the end of the war and was honorably discharged on Sept. 8, 1954. In June of 1952, while Stan was still in the service, he married Myrna Richens, his high school sweetheart, in the Salt Lake City Temple. After his discharge, Stan and Myrna returned to Provo, Utah where he finished his studies in Business Administration and graduated in 1958 from BYU. Stan then went to work for Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. from 1958 to 1962, serving as a staff manager of the Murray Utah office in Salt Lake City. In 1962 Stan joined Ideal National Insurance Co. as a general agent. In 1964 he was transferred from Provo to Ogden, Utah and was over the northern part of the state. Ideal National was bought by First Continental Life Insurance Co. in 1986, Stan was then promoted to the position of National Group Director for the company and remained there until his retirement in 1985. As a member of the LDS Church he held the position of a High Priest and served as a ward clerk, Sunday School President and Mutual secretary; but it was as a ward teacher that he touched many people's lives. Stan also served in civic organizations; he was chairman for the NALU Legislative Minutemen in 1969 and the Director for the Ogden Life Underwriters Association. Stan also served as a City Councilman for Pleasant View, Utah from 1976 to 1980 and held the position of director for the Pleasant View Board of Adjustments. It was at this time that he helped to create the horse arena in Shady Lane Park for the Junior North Ridge Posse and the community. Stan also loved recreation and the great outdoors; he was a Little League baseball coach for two years in Provo, Utah and for three years in Pleasant View, Utah. He was an avid hunter and cherished his memories of fishing and camping. Nothing made Stan happier than the times that he spent at his cabin in Evergreen Estates, surrounded by family and friends, playing with the dogs and the grandchildren, riding his horses and hosting dinner parties. Stan loved to build things; cabins, fences, corrals, decks and patios. Stan could always see the potential and possibility in a project, even if the idea of it was daunting to others, and he always seemed to make it happen. His cabin and home are a reflection of his hard work and vision. When Stan was too ill to fix the stairs at his cabin in the mountains, his friends rallied together and did the work for him. As a family we would like to give them a special thank you for their act of kindness. Stan always provided well for his family and friends, he lit up the room with his presence and smile and we will all miss his larger than life personality. Preceding Stan in death was his mother Eva Larsen, Provo, UT; father Loren Croft Larsen, Provo, UT: and his beloved brother Loren (Whitey) Larsen, Salt Lake City, UT. Stan is survived by his wife Myrna of Pleasant View, UT; his sons Brad (Sheryl) Larsen, North Ogden, UT; Steve (Audrey) Larsen, Taylor, UT; his daughter Linda LaRusso, Pleasant View, UT; six grandchildren he absolutely adored, Shane, Lindsay, Laurel, Jed, Kirt and Ghiselle and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sisters Jean Pitts, Springville, UT; and Carolyn (Hank) Gil, Reno, NV; and many nieces and nephews that he loved to see whenever possible. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden. Friends and family may call on Friday, April 4th from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday prior to the service from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Interment will be at the Ben Lomond Cemetery, 526 E. 2850 N., North Ogden, Utah. A special thanks to IHC Hospice for the special care they gave to Stan and our family. We would also like to acknowledge all the help and support by our friends in Pleasant View. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com