Sheila Fortner

Sheila Rae Kendall Larson Fortner was born on August 4, 1942, in Payson, Utah, to Guarnett and Adelia Kendall. She was the fourth of their children, joining her older siblings Nilan, Carol Lee, and Kearn. From the beginning, Sheila was a small-town girl with a big imagination and an adventurous spirit.

As a young teenager, she moved to Provo and attended Provo High School. At 18, she set out on her own for Chicago, where she worked at Marshall Fields. It was there she met Jan Ross Larson at a party; before long, they eloped to Las Vegas-and even invited her parents to come along.

Sheila and Jan first made their home in Salt Lake City, Utah, and later lived in Midland, Michigan, and Miami, Florida. Together, they welcomed six children: Mari Turner (Robert), Lisa Seppi (Kevin), Jana Larson (Steve), Joshua Larson, J. Ryan Larson, and Teresa Larson (Matthew). After their divorce, Sheila returned to Utah to be close to her family. She later moved to Arizona where she had great success in real estate and automobile sales, thanks to her vibrant, outgoing nature and her ability to connect effortlessly with people. She married William (Bill) Fortner. They made their home in Gold Canyon and shared many happy years filled with travel, golf, and the joys of retirement. Sheila loved and cared for Bill with unwavering devotion, including throughout his battle with ALS, until his passing in 2014.

Creative at her core, Sheila loved to sing, act, and design and sew clothing. She especially enjoyed being cast against type as the witch in Rapunzel, a role she played with humor and flair. She was outgoing and warm-always ready with a cheerful "hello." Sheila had a soft heart and was generous to anyone in need. A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she held a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. Her love for her Savior and her Heavenly Father guided her life, and she cherished her many opportunities to teach and care for others through her church service.

One of Sheila's greatest joys was welcoming her grandchildren: Lauren and Alexa Turner; Greg, Kendall, Jeremy, Nicholas, Jenna, Mia, and Megan Seppi; Dylan, Cole, and River Waldren; Zane Larson; and Sadie and Wilder Larson-Stutz. She was blessed with ten great-grandchildren: Cyrus, Clara, Ethan, Sophie, Luke, Lilith-Ann, Benjamin, Zhenli, Dylan, and Bodhi.

Sheila most recently resided at Legacy Assisted Living in Provo, Utah. She was surrounded by her family during her final days and hours, and passed away peacefully on Friday, November 21, 2025.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, November 26, at 11:00 am in the Olpin Family Mortuary, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove, UT. Family and friends may attend a viewing from 10:00 - 10:45 am prior to the service. Interment will follow at Provo City Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon afterward at the church located at 105 West 1800 North, Pleasant Grove, UT.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.