Joan L. Larkin

Joan L. Larkin left us on March 13, 2026, surrounded by family. She was born on April 19, 1947, to Harry and Audrey Retallick in Murray, Utah, the oldest of three daughters. She was raised in Midvale and attended Hillcrest High School.

She met the love of her life, Lane R. Larkin, when they lived in the same building in Midvale. They were married on August 24, 1970, in Elko, Nevada, and began a beautiful and fulfilling life together. They raised four wonderful children, Jodi (Tim) Trujillo, Luana Payne, Lane Jr. (Jodi), and Joseph Larkin. She was their biggest supporter at all of their swim meets, enjoyed camping and hunting with the family, and was a member of the PTA throughout their childhoods.

Joan and Lane enjoyed extensive travel after his retirement, going on several cruises and making many trips to Jackson Hole, Disneyworld, Alaska, and Yellowstone. She loved going to Wendover with her family. She adored her grandkids and would take them to museums, the aquarium, Thanksgiving Point, and anywhere else there was fun to be had. She always made sure to spoil her grandkids, and if she couldn’t do it, she’d make sure Grandpa did it for them.

She was meticulous in everything, always polished and put together, organized, with a spotless home. She cared for the family business and the people who worked there for many years and was proud of the time she spent doing so. She was a collector of owls and elephants, dolls, duck decoys, bears, books, and anything else she had an interest in. She liked things how she liked them and her family knew it was Joan’s way or the highway. She never failed to put others before herself and was always loving and caring. She showed her love through quiet acts of service and never expected anything in return.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents Harry and Audrey, and her niece Shellie Ernest. She is survived by her husband Lane, her children Jodi, Luana, Lane Jr., and Joseph, thirteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and her sisters Peg (Rex) Nelson and Jeri (Richard) Erdmann.

A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, March 26, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E Dimple Dell Road (10600 S) in Sandy. A second visitation will take place from 9:00-11:00 AM on Friday, March 27, at the same location, with a graveside service to follow.