  
Merlin N. Larsen 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.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at
www.jenkins-soffe.com
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 4/6/2008.
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