Natalie Knight Larson

Our loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Natalie Knight Larson, age 86, passed into the waiting arms of her Heavenly Father on July 30, 2021, a victim of terrible Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born August 4, 1934 in Moab, Utah to Pearl Berneice Murphy and Nathaniel B Knight. They and eight elder siblings, all of whom preceded her in death, welcomed her with great joy. She attended grade school in Moab and in various coal mining towns in Colorado and in Carbon County. After graduating from high school in Moab she traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi for several months to assist her sister with her children. There she had special experiences in sharing the gospel with others which affected her whole life. Afterwards she attended LDS Business College. Prior to marriage she worked for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as a legal stenographer.  

She was married to her dear husband, C. Jay Larson, on March 24, 1958 in the Salt Lake Temple by Elder Harold B. Lee. They were blessed with five children, two sons and three daughters all of whom loved and adored their mother. She demonstrated perfect Christlike love, and many benefited from her loving service. Their home was considered the Crossroads of the West where countless young people and extended family members found a home in which to live, sometimes for months at a time. Many relatives and friends (many from Tahiti) also were welcome guests on numerous occasions. During the time that she was rearing her children she also served faithfully in many Church callings among which were Junior Sunday School Coordinator, Primary President and Relief Society President. After refusing to accompany her husband on vacation trips to Tahiti as a tourist (they have many bugs there and they also eat fish) she was called to serve there as mother to many missionaries while her husband served as Mission President. There was no hesitation on Natalie’s part to accept this sacred calling. She was greatly loved. Subsequently, she was called to serve in the Tahiti Temple as Temple Matron, and later served for over 20 years as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple.  

She had many wonderful friends among the Polynesians. In Tahiti, she faced and overcame many obstacles to make sure that their two youngest children (both teenagers) received a good education. Throughout their lives Natalie was dedicated to her children and encouraged them in their school studies, in the development of their musical talents, and in scouting, where both of her sons achieved the rank of eagle. They enjoyed family vacations to the Knight family reunions in Moab each year and to the Larson family cabin.

Between Tahiti missions, all of her five children married, and she entered into the wonderful world of grandmotherhood. She adored each of her grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them and attending as many of their concerts and activities as possible. She extended a wonderful listening ear to them, and she made a beautiful appliqued quilt for each one at their births.

Natalie is survived by her husband, Jay; all of her children, Mark (Raquel), Lynette Golze (John), Jana Larsen (Wayne-deceased), Kent (Tresa) and Marilee Burgon (Bret); twenty-two grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The family expresses deep gratitude to the loving staff of Legacy Village of Taylorsville for giving such wonderful care to Natalie during her last three months.

A viewing will be held Friday, August 6th from 6-8 PM and Saturday, August 7th from 9:45-10:45 AM prior to the funeral service at 11:00 AM. All services will be held at the Taylorsville Central Stake Center at 4950 South 1950 West. Masks are encouraged. Interment will be in Elysian Burial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Missionary Department or Humanitarian Services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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