Merlin Nelson Larsen Obituary (1924 - 2008)

Merlin Nelson Larsen died, due to complications of old age, on April 2, 2008. He was 83. He was born to Merlin Russell Larsen and Judith Viola Nelson on November 24, 1924, in Brigham City, Utah. He always loved school and learning, and said that teachers have the highest calling. Merlin had a great love for his country, and after graduating from Box Elder High School, he joined the Army Air Corps. He served as a 1st Lieutenant and was a B-17 bomber pilot during World War II. Merlin majored in mathematics at the University of Utah, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1949. He taught high school English in Blanding, Utah, for a year, then returned to Salt Lake and obtained an accounting degree from Stevens-Henager Business College, where he later taught accounting classes. He married Roberta Fay Carpenter in the Salt Lake Temple on May 11, 1951. Merlin was a talented craftsman. Roberta and he extensively remodeled both homes in which they lived during their 57 years together in Murray, Utah. Merlin spent his working years as the controller for Distributor’s Inc., Ted R. Brown & Associates, and other affiliated companies. He was actively involved in the LDS Church, holding many callings including bishopric counselor, bishop, and high councilor. He served a mission in the Murray Utah Stake, and served a full-time mission with Roberta in Ventura, CA. Merlin had a fine tenor voice and sang for years with the Olympus Male Chorus. He also enjoyed playing the accordion. Merlin served for several years as a member of the Murray City Library Board. One of his most satisfying activities, in later years, was tutoring five grandchildren in reading, as well as being a tutor in an adult literacy program. Merlin had a great love of good literature, music, movies, and the theatre, especially when shared with his family. He valued others and always made an effort to remember the names of everyone he met. Merlin is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a grandson. He is survived by his wife, Roberta, and their four children Doug (Gwendolyn), John (Joyce), Mark (Dixie), and Lori Weintz (Christopher), twenty grandchildren, one great-grandson, and siblings Yvonne Steele, Raymond (Kirma), Barbara Baldauf, Shirley Mose (Hilton), and many nieces and nephews. Viewing, Monday April 7, 6-8 p.m., Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 S State, Murray, UT. Funeral, Tuesday April 8, 11 a.m., with a viewing one hour prior, in the Millcreek Stake Center, 4220 S 420 E, Murray, UT. (Approach the Stake Center from 500 East using the narrow paved road that is just south of Stonehedge Apartments.) Interment, Redwood Memorial Estates, 6500 S Redwood Road. If an alternative to flowers is desired, Roberta asks that a donation be made, in Merlin’s honor, to the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund, the Missionary Fund, or to a charity of your choice.