Weston “Dale” Larsen was born on April 20, 1934, in Pleasant Grove, UT to Blain and Cleone Bunker Larsen. He passed away peacefully on January 2, 2021 in Lehi, UT.
As a young man, youngest of three children, he grew up on the family farm in Orem, UT, where the value of hard work became his constitution.
On June 21, 1955, he married his eternal companion, Barbara Banks, in the Salt Lake Temple.
He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1956 with a Geology degree.
As a geophysicist, he enjoyed a 36-year career at Phillips Petroleum Company. During the first 4 years of his career, he moved his family several times living in various towns in CO, KS, TX and OK while working on a seismograph crew. However, once settled in Bartlesville, OK, he remained there for over 50 years, where he and Barbara raised their family and developed long-lasting friendships.
He served in several leadership positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including as a bishop in the Bartlesville Ward and a member of the Stake Presidency in the Tulsa Oklahoma Stake. His true passion was working with the youth, especially encouraging and assisting them to reach their full potential.
Though not athletically-gifted personally, he enjoyed coaching baseball and basketball. One of his major accomplishments was coaching a Young Men’s church basketball team that culminated in an Area Tournament championship in Dallas, TX, in 1974.
In 2011, he and Barbara moved to Draper, UT in order to be closer to family.
His interests included hunting (particularly wing-shooting), fishing and gardening.
His immediate family consists of Cody (Cheryl) Larsen of Lehi, UT, Melinda (Warren) Benincosa of Eagle Mountain, UT, Michelle (Kelly) Garner of Draper, UT and Jace (Arlene) Larsen of Edmond, OK, with 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Barbara Banks Larsen, his eternal companion and Erin Benincosa, a granddaughter.
Thank you to all the personnel at Covington Senior Living in Lehi, UT and Bristol Hospice for caring for Dad over these last five months.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimers Association (act.alz.org).
To view previously held services, please use the link above.
We were neighbors for many years in Bartlesville; Dale and Barbara were the best neighbors one could ask for. The world is a lesser place with both of them gone.
Always loved the Larsens and Dale. Best wishes and condolences to all the family.
Matt
We are sorry for the loss of your beloved patriarch of your wonderful family,
All our best, the Littles in B’ville
Dear Larsen Family, how grateful we all are for our knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation, that will reunite us with our beloved family members. We send our love and prayers to you all at this sad time of parting.
Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of Mr. Larsen, a kind and caring person who touched the lives of many over the years. May his fine memories provide the family with comfort until God's promises are fulfilled. John 5:28,29; Psalm 37:11, 29
Loved and admired Dale and Barbara so much! Impeccable examples of Christlike service and faithfulness. God be with you till we meet again.
So sorry for you lose, we in Bartlesville remember and Love him.
Rest in peace dear friend. Your friends in Bartlesville, OK sure have missed you and precious Barbara.
Dale and Barbara are forever friends. We will always cherish our memories of living next door to them in Bartlesville. Every Christmas we put out many decorations they made and gave to us.
Sending much love to Melinda and the entire Larsen family. May you be blessed with comfort and peace. ❤️
Having been raised in Bartlesville, the Draney and Larsen families have always been close friends. Our mom and dad (Harold and Peggy) shared many wonderful times with Dale and Barbara. My brothers (Hal and Ted) and I spent many hours playing basketball, softball, hunting and fishing with Dale, Cody and Jace. Dale was also our Bishop and Harold and Dale served together in the bishopric together at one time. Dale and Barb would often visit our home (rarely unaccompanied by a loaf of Barb's homemade bread or one of her other heavenly baked creations). There was much laughter exchanged during these visits since my dad was such a tease and Barb/Dale would banter back expanding the frivolity. I am grateful for the good example Dale was of a righteous priesthood holder and faithful husband and father. Stormy and I extend our love to the Larsen family offering prayers of comfort and peace at this time of loss. To Cody, Melinda, Michelle, Jace (and your families) we will mourn your loss with you today in spirit but we will celebrate a blessed Bartlesville reunion in heaven.......if you listen closely, I am confident you will hear the faint sounds of angelic laughter (and perhaps the cringe from a injured finger or collarbone).......anyone from Bartlesville will understand.
To my dear Uncle Dale,
I will certainly miss you and I am so grateful for all the happy memories I have of you. I still remember when you and Aunt Barbara got married and I wore my pink twirly dress and twirled around at your reception. It was such a grand party! I think I was 3 years old. I loved it when we went to visit you and Aunt Barbara and "the cousins." You have been an excellent example to me in my life. Every time you traveled for work close to where my family lived, you would make sure we got together at least for dinner. My children loved you. As I have grown older and we have come to Utah it was always so wonderful to spend time together and remember all the good times, and funny times, and laugh and sometimes feel sad about those we missed. I love you. You always supported and loved me. Thank you. Love, Juanita