Dean L Larsen passed away the morning of May 4, 2020. We have had the honor and pleasure of having him in our lives as our husband, father, brother and friend these last 87 years. His philosophy of life was simple: just be good, don’t quarrel, and always have a dessert after dinner. He was not self-serving, or selfish. Every one of us have many memories of him going out of his way to help us in his quiet gentle way. His expressions of love and faith were through action more than words. He lived the gospel of Jesus Christ in an unassuming way and loved it.
He didn’t seek fame or fortune, but was richly blessed with a natural ability in music, sports, and leadership. He used those abilities to bless the lives of others in missionary work, in the US Air Force, in church callings, and in raising his children.
Dean could compete in almost every endeavor, and rarely lost. But he never bragged. As a Mesa High School Jackrabbit, he won championships in Tennis and Basketball. He then took his basketball skills to Brigham Young University where he played for Stan Watts in the early 1950’s. He considered many of his teammates his life-long friends. Ultimately Dean was named an All-American Basketball player and was inducted into the BYU Cougar Hall of Fame. He was drafted by the NBA Detroit Pistons, but chose instead to serve a mission to Argentina for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After Dean’s mission, the Spanish language became his favorite. He expressed himself very easily as he conversed with anyone on the streets of South America. He loved learning the idioms of languages and used them often when greeting others from foreign lands...instantly creating a friendship.
His career path was that of a Spanish teacher, and coach. He influenced many with his calm, confident teaching and coaching style. Five of the six missions he served were in Latin America among the people he loved so much. Dean and Leona (his eternal companion) were inseparable in their service. Having her at his side was the joy of his life. They (he) served as Mission President in Venezuela, MTC President in Dominican Republic, Temple President in Lima Peru, Executive Secretary in the Area Presidency in Chile, and the Daily Dose Program in Spanish Fork, UT
Dean was known for his jokes, riddles, and bell ringers. Students looked forward to the bell ringer of the day to start class. These last few years, in his weekly doctor visits, he entertained the nurses as if they were his students. He would use a joke to cheer up the day, to calm troubled waters, or make a new friend.
He loved our mother. They have been constant, loyal, companions for the last 62 years. Dad loved having mom at his side, as she was such a natural and gracious host. Mom has been a true example of Christ-like service as she has cared for him all these years...especially the last 7 years with his declining health. She was determined to do everything she could to keep him comfortable and take care of his every need without complaint. If dad has any influence in heaven, he would have her join him quickly.
We are grateful for the many people who have sent us memories of him, and notes of love and appreciation. Many have mentioned his warm smile, his integrity, and the positive influence he has had on them. We thank the many doctors who cared for him. He looked forward to his appointments each week and letting them know how good they were at their jobs.
He was preceded in death by his parents Elwood and Lorna Larsen and sisters, DeAnn and Dolores, and a grandson Sebastian Larsen.
He is survived by his wife Leona Mae Robinson, his 9 children Deonna (Bruce Burnett), Diana (Mike Lacey), Douglas, Dwayne (Maria), Darrell (Rhonda), Dallas (Heather), Dean (Jaime), Dane (Tracie), Danika, 33 Grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren, and by his brother Dwayne E. Larsen.
He didn’t seek fame or fortune, but was richly blessed with a natural ability in music, sports, and leadership. He used those abilities to bless the lives of others in missionary work, in the US Air Force, in church callings, and in raising his children.
Dean could compete in almost every endeavor, and rarely lost. But he never bragged. As a Mesa High School Jackrabbit, he won championships in Tennis and Basketball. He then took his basketball skills to Brigham Young University where he played for Stan Watts in the early 1950’s. He considered many of his teammates his life-long friends. Ultimately Dean was named an All-American Basketball player and was inducted into the BYU Cougar Hall of Fame. He was drafted by the NBA Detroit Pistons, but chose instead to serve a mission to Argentina for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After Dean’s mission, the Spanish language became his favorite. He expressed himself very easily as he conversed with anyone on the streets of South America. He loved learning the idioms of languages and used them often when greeting others from foreign lands...instantly creating a friendship.
His career path was that of a Spanish teacher, and coach. He influenced many with his calm, confident teaching and coaching style. Five of the six missions he served were in Latin America among the people he loved so much. Dean and Leona (his eternal companion) were inseparable in their service. Having her at his side was the joy of his life. They (he) served as Mission President in Venezuela, MTC President in Dominican Republic, Temple President in Lima Peru, Executive Secretary in the Area Presidency in Chile, and the Daily Dose Program in Spanish Fork, UT
Dean was known for his jokes, riddles, and bell ringers. Students looked forward to the bell ringer of the day to start class. These last few years, in his weekly doctor visits, he entertained the nurses as if they were his students. He would use a joke to cheer up the day, to calm troubled waters, or make a new friend.
He loved our mother. They have been constant, loyal, companions for the last 62 years. Dad loved having mom at his side, as she was such a natural and gracious host. Mom has been a true example of Christ-like service as she has cared for him all these years...especially the last 7 years with his declining health. She was determined to do everything she could to keep him comfortable and take care of his every need without complaint. If dad has any influence in heaven, he would have her join him quickly.
We are grateful for the many people who have sent us memories of him, and notes of love and appreciation. Many have mentioned his warm smile, his integrity, and the positive influence he has had on them. We thank the many doctors who cared for him. He looked forward to his appointments each week and letting them know how good they were at their jobs.
He was preceded in death by his parents Elwood and Lorna Larsen and sisters, DeAnn and Dolores, and a grandson Sebastian Larsen.
He is survived by his wife Leona Mae Robinson, his 9 children Deonna (Bruce Burnett), Diana (Mike Lacey), Douglas, Dwayne (Maria), Darrell (Rhonda), Dallas (Heather), Dean (Jaime), Dane (Tracie), Danika, 33 Grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren, and by his brother Dwayne E. Larsen.
Dean L Larsen passed away the morning of May 4, 2020. We have had the honor and pleasure of having him in our lives as our husband, father, brother and friend these last 87 years. His philosophy of life was simple: just be good, don’t quarrel, and always have a dessert after dinner. He was not self-serving, or selfish. Every one of us have many memories of him going out of his way to help us in his quiet gentle way. His expressions of love and faith were through action more than words. He lived the gospel of Jesus Christ in an unassuming way and loved it.
He didn’t seek fame or fortune, but was richly blessed with a natural ability in music, sports, and leadership. He used those abilities to bless the lives of others in missionary work, in the US Air Force, in church callings, and in raising his children.
Dean could compete in almost every endeavor, and rarely lost. But he never bragged. As a Mesa High School Jackrabbit, he won championships in Tennis and Basketball. He then took his basketball skills to Brigham Young University where he played for Stan Watts in the early 1950’s. He considered many of his teammates his life-long friends. Ultimately Dean was named an All-American Basketball player and was inducted into the BYU Cougar Hall of Fame. He was drafted by the NBA Detroit Pistons, but chose instead to serve a mission to Argentina for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After Dean’s mission, the Spanish language became his favorite. He expressed himself very easily as he conversed with anyone on the streets of South America. He loved learning the idioms of languages and used them often when greeting others from foreign lands...instantly creating a friendship.
His career path was that of a Spanish teacher, and coach. He influenced many with his calm, confident teaching and coaching style. Five of the six missions he served were in Latin America among the people he loved so much. Dean and Leona (his eternal companion) were inseparable in their service. Having her at his side was the joy of his life. They (he) served as Mission President in Venezuela, MTC President in Dominican Republic, Temple President in Lima Peru, Executive Secretary in the Area Presidency in Chile, and the Daily Dose Program in Spanish Fork, UT
Dean was known for his jokes, riddles, and bell ringers. Students looked forward to the bell ringer of the day to start class. These last few years, in his weekly doctor visits, he entertained the nurses as if they were his students. He would use a joke to cheer up the day, to calm troubled waters, or make a new friend.
He loved our mother. They have been constant, loyal, companions for the last 62 years. Dad loved having mom at his side, as she was such a natural and gracious host. Mom has been a true example of Christ-like service as she has cared for him all these years...especially the last 7 years with his declining health. She was determined to do everything she could to keep him comfortable and take care of his every need without complaint. If dad has any influence in heaven, he would have her join him quickly.
We are grateful for the many people who have sent us memories of him, and notes of love and appreciation. Many have mentioned his warm smile, his integrity, and the positive influence he has had on them. We thank the many doctors who cared for him. He looked forward to his appointments each week and letting them know how good they were at their jobs.
He was preceded in death by his parents Elwood and Lorna Larsen and sisters, DeAnn and Dolores, and a grandson Sebastian Larsen.
He is survived by his wife Leona Mae Robinson, his 9 children Deonna (Bruce Burnett), Diana (Mike Lacey), Douglas, Dwayne (Maria), Darrell (Rhonda), Dallas (Heather), Dean (Jaime), Dane (Tracie), Danika, 33 Grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren, and by his brother Dwayne E. Larsen.
He didn’t seek fame or fortune, but was richly blessed with a natural ability in music, sports, and leadership. He used those abilities to bless the lives of others in missionary work, in the US Air Force, in church callings, and in raising his children.
Dean could compete in almost every endeavor, and rarely lost. But he never bragged. As a Mesa High School Jackrabbit, he won championships in Tennis and Basketball. He then took his basketball skills to Brigham Young University where he played for Stan Watts in the early 1950’s. He considered many of his teammates his life-long friends. Ultimately Dean was named an All-American Basketball player and was inducted into the BYU Cougar Hall of Fame. He was drafted by the NBA Detroit Pistons, but chose instead to serve a mission to Argentina for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After Dean’s mission, the Spanish language became his favorite. He expressed himself very easily as he conversed with anyone on the streets of South America. He loved learning the idioms of languages and used them often when greeting others from foreign lands...instantly creating a friendship.
His career path was that of a Spanish teacher, and coach. He influenced many with his calm, confident teaching and coaching style. Five of the six missions he served were in Latin America among the people he loved so much. Dean and Leona (his eternal companion) were inseparable in their service. Having her at his side was the joy of his life. They (he) served as Mission President in Venezuela, MTC President in Dominican Republic, Temple President in Lima Peru, Executive Secretary in the Area Presidency in Chile, and the Daily Dose Program in Spanish Fork, UT
Dean was known for his jokes, riddles, and bell ringers. Students looked forward to the bell ringer of the day to start class. These last few years, in his weekly doctor visits, he entertained the nurses as if they were his students. He would use a joke to cheer up the day, to calm troubled waters, or make a new friend.
He loved our mother. They have been constant, loyal, companions for the last 62 years. Dad loved having mom at his side, as she was such a natural and gracious host. Mom has been a true example of Christ-like service as she has cared for him all these years...especially the last 7 years with his declining health. She was determined to do everything she could to keep him comfortable and take care of his every need without complaint. If dad has any influence in heaven, he would have her join him quickly.
We are grateful for the many people who have sent us memories of him, and notes of love and appreciation. Many have mentioned his warm smile, his integrity, and the positive influence he has had on them. We thank the many doctors who cared for him. He looked forward to his appointments each week and letting them know how good they were at their jobs.
He was preceded in death by his parents Elwood and Lorna Larsen and sisters, DeAnn and Dolores, and a grandson Sebastian Larsen.
He is survived by his wife Leona Mae Robinson, his 9 children Deonna (Bruce Burnett), Diana (Mike Lacey), Douglas, Dwayne (Maria), Darrell (Rhonda), Dallas (Heather), Dean (Jaime), Dane (Tracie), Danika, 33 Grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren, and by his brother Dwayne E. Larsen.
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