Suzanne Williams Larsen

Suzanne W. Larsen, our beloved mother, sister, Nana, and friend, a spunky, strong girl from Grace Idaho, queen of compassion and love, courageously finished her life journey on May 14, 2025.

Born October 21, 1941 in Franklin, Idaho to Ruby Palmer and Homer D. Williams. She grew up in Grace, Idaho with five siblings who she admired and loved dearly.

Suzanne attended Grace High School as a “Grace Red Devil,” taking two weeks off each fall to harvest potatoes with the community. She attended Utah State University, a proud Aggie, graduating in Education then teaching English at Bountiful High School. She was an enthusiastic member of the USU Kappa Delta sorority, singing the songs and cherishing those friends throughout her life.

Meeting on a blind date, Suzanne quickly fell for a tall, handsome medical student with a boyish grin. She and Gary F. Larsen married on June 29, 1964 and together built an incredible family and life filled with love, laughter, adventure, and hard work.

Suzanne genuinely loved people and made everyone feel important and loved. Always the consummate hostess, she prepared delicious meals and threw fabulous parties, warmly welcoming friends and family into her beautiful home on the creek. Making friends everywhere she went, she kept them close throughout her life. Championing the vulnerable, she continually sought out and lifted the underdog and the underprivileged. She loved to serve, care for and feed others, spreading happiness, love and light wherever she went. She took it upon herself to mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who needed comfort, nurturing so many throughout her 83 years. Frequently cooking and delivering food to others, she was described as the “light of the neighborhood”.

Suzanne was selfless, classy, independent, and compassionate; the best example of a beautiful, strong, intelligent woman. She was an incredible influence to her four children and taught them the importance of unconditional love, never-ending kindness, pursuing education and lifelong learning, being a critical thinker, cultured, charitable, and strong. She taught those around her to love life!

After raising small children, she chose to go back into the workforce, teaching disadvantaged youth at Salt Lake’s alternative high school (now known as Horizonte). She thought it important to help these youth get a real chance, but said she learned more from them about life than she ever taught. She also volunteered teaching English to refugees and was a docent for the LDS Church History Museum for over 20 years. In addition, she proudly served on the Women’s State Legislative Council of Utah, serving as president for multiple terms.

As a dedicated, lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in every capacity for the Forest Bend Ward as well as for the University 2nd Singles Stake for over 10 years, where she loved the youth and many dear friends.

Suzanne was up for everything as she followed Gary and the kids on their many high adventures. She loved snow skiing, Idaho river rafting, Bear Lake, travel, tennis, hiking, reading, music, the arts, and amazing biking trips around the world with their bike group. Her infectious zest for life helped her relish in the beauty of the world and she made sure those around her loved it too.

While Suzanne lived a full and beautiful life with many talents and passions, her greatest joy was her family and the close relationships she had with each of her children and grandchildren.

Our beloved mother, sister, Nana, and friend died from advanced dementia, which she courageously fought for many years with the help of several ministering angels including Holley, Maddisen, Darci, Sue, Sheryl, JoAnn and others.

Thank you Mom. We are forever grateful for your love and being part of your beautiful life.

Suzanne is survived by her children, David Charles Larsen (Camille Johnson), daughter in law, Stephenie Sorensen Larsen, Amy Larsen Zaharis (Michael Zaharis), and Brady Williams Larsen (Amber Callister), her fourteen grandchildren with another grandchild arriving in July, and her brothers Deworth Williams and David Williams. She is preceded in death by her husband, Gary Fisher Larsen, her son Mitchell Williams Larsen and her siblings Sandra Wilkins, Gary Williams, and John Williams.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 22, at 11:00 am at the Forest Bend Chapel, 7784 S. Highland Drive. There will be a visitation at the chapel on Wednesday, May 21, 6:00 - 8:00 pm and Thursday, May 22 9:00 - 10:45 am. A short burial will follow for family and friends and Suzanne will be interred at the Memorial Mountain View Cemetery.