Lucile Gardner Larson, 83, of St. George, Utah, passed away on Nov. 2, 2023, after a short illness, with her family by her side. She was born on Aug. 3, 1940, to Birt and Mina Pugh Gardner in Kanab, Utah. She grew up in Mt. Carmel, Utah. She attended Valley High School in Orderville, Utah, where she made many lifetime friends.
She met and married Stanford Carter Larson of Washington, Utah, and they had four children. They later divorced and she became a single mom. She later helped raise three grandchildren.
Mom worked for 26 years at Dixie Regional Medical Center in housekeeping and retired at the age of 55 due to medical problems. She was a friend to all. She would start a conversation with everyone she met and loved learning about other people. Mom loved life, and even though she had many physical challenges, she never lost her enthusiasm.
She was always taking us to the Boilers Pond and Snow Canyon. She loved going to Mt. Carmel. She would take us kids riding around in the Washington Fields to look for asparagus on the ditch banks.
Mom had many lifelong friends who she would keep in contact with on a regular basis. In her early years, she would go dancing, on “Pepsi runs”, rode bikes and enjoyed being with her friends.
Mom loved to travel and took many trips with her friends. She traveled to Hawaii, Branson, Missouri, Alaska and Vermont for the fall colors. She also traveled to Israel and Egypt where she rode a live camel.
She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She was a member of TOPS, where she was Utah’s Queen for losing over 100 lbs. She was very caring and kept in touch with all her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her children: Stanford Kay Larson of St. George, Utah, Bruce Wayne Larson of St. George, Roxane Kogianes (Mike) of Fountain Green, Utah; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and lots of nieces, nephews and friends.
She is preceded in death by her son Ricky Birt Larson; her mom and dad; her sister Annie Judd; her brother Milton Gardner; and baby brother Wayne Gardner.
Funeral services will be Friday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m., with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the St. George Main Street Chapel located at 166 South Main St. Interment will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.
Check back here for a link to livestream services.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.