Obituary of Marlene Larson

Marlene Simmons Larson, 82, of Loveland, Colorado, passed away on Oct. 10, 2022, from metastatic breast cancer. She was preceded in death by parents Golden and Mildred Simmons, brother Laval Simmons and sister Ronda Simmons.

Marlene leaves behind husband Dee Larson, son Kelly (Kelly) Larson (Austin, Texas), daughter Debra (Michael) McKrola (Longmont, Colorado), daughter Brenda (Joel) Seamons (Longmont, Colorado), 12 grandchildren — Lindsey (Andrew) George (Loveland, Colorado), Kasey (Brandon) Milne (Pembroke Pines, Florida), Christopher (Mew) Larson (Austin, Texas), Courtney (Malakai) Olson, (Buena Vista, Virginia), Calvin Seamons (Provo, Utah), Michael Ulisese McKrola (Longmont, Colorado), Alyssa McKrola (Buena Vista, Virginia), Hailey Seamons (Buena Vista, Virginia), Elder Oliver Seamons (Hauula, Hawaii), Sister Hannah Larson (Banfield, Argentina), Jade Seamons (Longmont, Colorado) and Isaac Larson (Austin, Texas); five great grandchildren — Tim Chamrassri,
Joseph George, Kieran Jacob McKrola-Middleton, Will George and Payton Milne.

Other family members are Marlene’s siblings, Anna Jean Sweat, Cheryl Lee, Jeanette Gray, Jon Simmons, Rodney Simmons, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters- and brothers-in-law, aunts and uncles and so many friends.

Marlene grew up in Idaho potato country in a family who knew how to work. Summers were spent planting, weeding and eating potatoes.

An irrigation canal ran through the family’s farm where frigid water flowed directly from the mountain peaks. All eight children in the family learned to swim at an early age.

She played trumpet in marching band and graduated from Rigby High School in 1958 when Dwight D. Eisenhower was president of the United States. Philo Farnsworth, inventor of the television, attended her same small-town high school some years earlier.

Marlene attended Ricks College (now BYU Idaho) for two years, followed by the University or Northern Colorado (UNC) for two years, to earn a bachelor’s degree in business education. 

As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Marlene married Dee Larson on Sept. 19, 1961, in the Logan, Utah, temple. After a brief time living in Santa Monica, California, they moved to Loveland, Colorado, in 1963.

The Larsons moved to their current home 54 years ago, which became an ideal haven for countless friends and family members throughout the years to spend at celebrations, parties, lake time, socializing, and being included. During that time, they also took in 19 individuals at different times, who needed a temporary place to call home.

Marlene spent 30 years as a part-time travel agent working from home and delighted in exploring the world. She loved to water ski, jet ski, snow ski, kayak, go fishing and take daily, 3-mile walks in the mornings with the same group, for more than ten years.

Days prior to her death, Marlene shared that her greatest accomplishment was to marry Dee Larson 61 years ago and have three wonderful children and their families.

A funeral service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 550 Spartan Avenue, Berthoud, Colorado, on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 10 a.m., followed by a graveside service at Greenlawn Cemetery, 725 County Road 1.

Zoom Link:  https://zoom.us/j/94823455626