Geraldine Stoddard Larsen

PROVIDENCE, UTAH: Geraldine Stoddard Larsen, our dear sweet mother, grandmother, sister and friend to many, passed away of natural causes surrounded by her family on January 11, 2015 at Cache Valley Assisted Living. It was almost 16 years to the day that our father died. As mom would say, “She graduated.” Mom was born December 29, 1929 in Cascade, Montana to James and Lillian Stoddard. She was the seventh of ten children. Gerry spent five years in Cascade before moving to Hyrum, Utah where she spent a happy childhood. She loved riding her horse Trixie, working with her dad, and growing up with her brothers and sisters. She was so proud to be a Stoddard. We loved hearing her tell us stories of her childhood.
While living in Hyrum, she attended Lincoln Elementary School and graduated from South Cache High School. She played the clarinet in the school band and worked at Sparta Movie Theater. This is where mom gained her love of movies and their stars. Mom met her sweetheart, Waldemar Anders Larsen at a friend’s house in 1950. They were married the same year on September 1, 1950. They were blessed with 8 children; Janet Sharpe (Ollie) currently serving in the London South Mission, Sharlene Farr (Byron) Kaysville, UT, JoAnn Delyea (Steve) Vancouver, WA, Christine Williams (Jim) Mendon, UT, Dena Cowley (Vic) Hyrum, UT, Rohn Larsen (Carolyn) Smithfield, UT, Royce Larsen (Eve) Kaysville, UT, and Rodney Larsen (Tamera) Providence, UT.
Mom and Dad both had beautiful singing voices. We were raised on love and music. Our family was able to spend wonderful times performing together. This has been a Balm of Gilead to us all. Our Mom was a hard worker. Dad was often out of town for his work, so Mom took over all the duties both inside and outside of the house. She would haul big dump trucks full of fertilizer (manure) for two huge gardens. Then she would plant, weed, water and harvest the fruits and vegetables that grew. Then she would bottle everything from the gardens as well as the many bushels of fruit Dad would bring home on a whim. Of course, this was in the middle of her daily work of raising eight children and baking loaves of the best bread you have ever had eaten.
Mom taught us that laughter was the best medicine. She loved a good joke. Mom love BYU and was the Jazz’s biggest fan. If you ever watched a game with her, you would know this is true.
Mom took such great care of our dad. We remember many times when dinner was waiting on the table until he came home. No matter how hungry we were, we would all have to wait for Dad so we could eat.
Our dear Mother had a sweet and simple faith. She wanted to share it with everyone she met. She once sent a Book of Mormon to a telemarketer. I think she ended up on their do not call list. Mom always wanted to serve a mission. Now she will be able to do that without the limitations of her health. Mom had a great inner strength. She didn’t tell her God how strong her storm was. She told her storm how strong her God was.
Mom is survived by her 8 children, 28 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren; brothers Ralph Stoddard (Lois), and Keith Stoddard (Carol), her sister Mid Jenson, and her sister-in-law Betty (John) Reed. She was preceded in death by her sweetheart, Waldemar (Walt) Anders Larsen, her brothers Claine, William Sloan, Hans, Buddy, her sisters Carol and Norma, parents James and Lillian Stoddard and her son in law Keith Dahle and grandson Jonathan Koeven.
Our family would like to thank Cache Valley Assisted Living for the care of our mother. Also, thanks to Dignity Hospice, Janine Smith, Diane , other nurses, and to her kind and gentle CNA Jessie Gittens. Lastly, we especially want to express our gratitude to our sweet sister-in-law, Tamera Larsen, who lovingly took care of all of the day-to-day needs of Mom for the past 16 years. Thank you so very much.
Mom we will miss you. We love you. Thank you for blessing our lives. God be with till we meet again.
Funeral services will be at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday January 17, 2015 at Providence LDS Ward building on 309 South Main with Bishop Darrel Sanders conducting. There will be a viewing on Saturday morning from 9:30 - 11:30 am. Interment will be in the Millville Cemetery. Funeral arrangements will be by Allen-Hall Mortuary. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.allenmortuaries.net