Irene Pearl Call Larsen was born April 2, 1893 in Rigby, Jefferson, Idaho to Omer Samuel Call and Annie Mette Madsen Call. She was 4th of the eleven children born to this family. Siblings are: Sarah Annie [Call] Hoggan (1886-1917), Omer Matthew Call (1888-1972), Sylvester Call (1891-1984), Heber Leslie Call (1895-1919), Floyd Call (1897-1970), Cyrus Bernard Call (1899-1974),George Charles Call (1902-1970), Delta Rhea [Call] Cottle (1904-2001), Delbert Fremont Call (1907-1982) and Lavina [Call] Stoddard/Kinney (1910-1979). Irene was blessed on 1 June 1893 by a cousin, Josiah Call and she was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 6 July 1901 by her uncle, Samuel Barrow and confirmed 7 July 1901 by Josiah Call. Irene attended schools in Rigby, Idaho and she graduated from High School on 27 May 1910. Hard work and responsibilities in helping with this large family was a normal day for her. She was often found sewing garments for her brothers and sisters and she and her eldest sister Sarah were praised for their talents at millinery. They were often engaged in making a lovely hat for other lady's of the community. Among her other talents, Irene loved music and was invited on numerous occasions to play the organ in the Rigby Tabernacle or the devotional music for other church meetings. In fact, She was the first organist to play the big pipe organ in the New Rigby Tabernacle where it was built. She loved to sing and was a member of the choir. Irene was a modest and unassuming person and was very popular among her many friends. In the spring of 1915, Irene met a handsome young man by the name of Ephraim Larsen and it was not long before "Eph" asked for her hand in marriage. They were married in Rigby, Idaho on 28 June 1915 by an uncle George A. Cordon. The marriage was later solemnized in the Logan, Utah L.D.S. Temple on 14 April 1920. They purchased some property from Irene's father and built their first little home in Rigby. Irene always kept her home neat and clean and she was a talented homemaker and cook. Irene and Eph became the parents of 8 children: Calvin Ephraim Larsen (1916-1992), Thama [Larsen] Pugmire/Brown (1917-1997) Mathew Eric Larsen (1919-1987), Ross Call Larsen (1922-1997), Dorothy [Larsen] Rowland (1924-2013), Ardith Larsen (1926-1928) DeEsta [Larsen] Windley/Rousey (1928-2020) and Shirley [Larsen] Salvesen (1931-2020). The first five children all born in Rigby. In 1925, Eph & Irene moved their family to Ririe, Idaho where Eph opened his own barber shop. The last 3 children were all born in Ririe. In May of 1928, Irene was to experience a mother's worst nightmare. Ardith became very ill with Erysipelas and was hospitalized where she died shortly thereafter. It was a heart-breaking time for the family. In the fall of 1929, the United States entered a time of economic depression and times became very hard for the family, but Irene was a talented homemaker and was industrious enough to bring her family through with what little they had. The economy of the country was just starting to improve when World War II broke out and all 3 of her sons joined the military service. After many prayers in their behalf, Irene and Ephraim experienced the joy of seeing all 3 sons return home safely after the war. It was not long until all of their children were married and rearing families of their own. Ross and his family built a home just across the alley east from Irene and Eph and Grandma & Grandpa's home was the place where the grandchildren knew they were loved and welcomed. Calvin was only married for a few months in 1959 so he lived with them for many years as well. In 1965, they reached the milestone of being married for 50 years. Eph passed away on April 21, 1966 and as Irene's health began to fail, she began spending more time with her daughters. Eventually there came a time when the family was no longer able to meet her medical needs and she was moved into the Caribou nursing home in Soda Springs,Idaho. On a fall morning in 1979, a nurse came in to get her out of bed and ready for breakfast. As she helped Irene into a wheelchair, Irene remarked about what a beautiful day it was. The nurse left her sitting in the chair and went to get her medications and when she returned she found that Irene had left this life. She died of a heart-attack on October 11, 1979 at 8:10 in the morning. Funeral services were held on October 15, 1979 at the Ririe 2nd Ward L.D.S. Church and she was buried in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery between her husband Ephraim and her little daughter, Ardith.

THE MEMORY OF GRANDMA'S LOVE

Grandma always held my heart, right from the very start.

Her arms were open wide. She had the safest place to hide.

Inside of Grandma's hug, I was safe and snug.

Grandma's Love always appeared, then trouble disappeared.

Grandma made me happy, because she Loved me.

Grandma wiped my tears and chased away my fears.

Grandma's Love will always be, A precious memory to me!

Author Unknown