Betty Larson, of Safford, entered into life eternal Tuesday, May 28, 2024, surrounded in love by her family. She was 82.
Betty Ann Angle Larson was born March 30, 1942, in Franklin, Greenlee County, Arizona, the youngest of Andrew and Zereta Farnsworth Angle’s nine children whose names are Joy, Eldon, Edith, Lila, Lafay, Velma, Carol, Merlin and Betty.
When Betty was a year old, the family moved to Aztec, New Mexico, and then settled nearby, in Kirtland, where her father had bought a small dairy and apple orchard.When Betty was eight years old, she was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by her father in the large irrigation canal above the farm.Shortly after this the family returned to Betty’s birthplace, Franklin, Arizona, where they lived for two years, before moving to Mesa, Arizona.
In 1956, Betty’s father bought a farm at the base of Mt. Graham in Safford, Arizona, and moved his family to his childhood home. Betty attended Safford High School, graduating in 1960.
In 1962 after two years at Gila Junior College, Betty left home to attend ASU in Tempe, Arizona, where she met Leroy Larson. They took an interest in each other but in the summer of 1963, Betty worked in Yellowstone Park at the Old Faithful Inn, so Leroy went one way and Betty went another.
A few days after the Fall semester began in 1963, Leroy called Betty and they resumed their courtship. On June 5, 1964, Leroy and Betty were married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple.
Betty and Leroy moved to Eagar, Arizona where they started their family. The first three children were born here. Betty enjoyed her babies while Leroy taught school. The Larson family moved to the Gila Valley where the next five children were born. Later, Betty and Leroy adopted three boys.
Betty was a certified elementary school teacher and used her training to teach most of her children Kindergarten at home. Betty also taught 3rd grade at Solomon School for two years and Kindergarten at Bonita School for about five years.
One of the greatest challenges in her life was the passing of her husband in 1991, leaving her a widow for 33 years.
In 2005, Betty purchased Angle Orchard from her brother, Eldon. She managed the orchard for the next 12 years, before turning its care over to her children.
Betty will be remembered for her dedication to her family, her church work, and her service to the community.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy, and son, Stephen. She is survived by her children Andrew (Josie), Leann Crandall (Rich), Reed (Mary Ann), Faith Jarvis (Ryan), Paul (Jennifer), Emily Clonts (Cord), Daniel (Shalisha), Richard, Robert, and Donald; thirty-eight grandchildren, and twenty-two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Eldon Angle.
Funeral services for Betty will be conducted Friday, May 31, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., at the Mt. Graham Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Bishop Jonathon Stailey of the Artesia Ward. Concluding services will follow in the Lebanon Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Thursday evening, May 30, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at the Vining Funeral Home and Friday morning, May 31, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m., in the Mt. Graham Chapel Relief Society room.
Those who would like to attend the services via Facebook Live can join on Vining Funeral Home's Facebook page, Friday afternoon, May 31, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. (MST).
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Betty Larson hosted by Vining Funeral Home.
Betty Larson, of Safford, entered into life eternal Tuesday, May 28, 2024, surrounded in love by her family. She was 82.
Betty Ann Angle Larson was born March 30, 1942, in Franklin, Greenlee County, Arizona, the youngest of Andrew and Zereta Farnsworth Angle’s nine children whose names are Joy, Eldon, Edith, Lila, Lafay, Velma, Carol, Merlin and Betty.
When Betty was a year old, the family moved to Aztec, New Mexico, and then settled nearby, in Kirtland, where her father had bought a small dairy and apple orchard.When Betty was eight years old, she was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by her father in the large irrigation canal above the farm.Shortly after this the family returned to Betty’s birthplace, Franklin, Arizona, where they lived for two years, before moving to Mesa, Arizona.
In 1956, Betty’s father bought a farm at the base of Mt. Graham in Safford, Arizona, and moved his family to his childhood home. Betty attended Safford High School, graduating in 1960.
In 1962 after two years at Gila Junior College, Betty left home to attend ASU in Tempe, Arizona, where she met Leroy Larson. They took an interest in each other but in the summer of 1963, Betty worked in Yellowstone Park at the Old Faithful Inn, so Leroy went one way and Betty went another.
A few days after the Fall semester began in 1963, Leroy called Betty and they resumed their courtship. On June 5, 1964, Leroy and Betty were married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple.
Betty and Leroy moved to Eagar, Arizona where they started their family. The first three children were born here. Betty enjoyed her babies while Leroy taught school. The Larson family moved to the Gila Valley where the next five children were born. Later, Betty and Leroy adopted three boys.
Betty was a certified elementary school teacher and used her training to teach most of her children Kindergarten at home. Betty also taught 3rd grade at Solomon School for two years and Kindergarten at Bonita School for about five years.
One of the greatest challenges in her life was the passing of her husband in 1991, leaving her a widow for 33 years.
In 2005, Betty purchased Angle Orchard from her brother, Eldon. She managed the orchard for the next 12 years, before turning its care over to her children.
Betty will be remembered for her dedication to her family, her church work, and her service to the community.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy, and son, Stephen. She is survived by her children Andrew (Josie), Leann Crandall (Rich), Reed (Mary Ann), Faith Jarvis (Ryan), Paul (Jennifer), Emily Clonts (Cord), Daniel (Shalisha), Richard, Robert, and Donald; thirty-eight grandchildren, and twenty-two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Eldon Angle.
Funeral services for Betty will be conducted Friday, May 31, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., at the Mt. Graham Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Bishop Jonathon Stailey of the Artesia Ward. Concluding services will follow in the Lebanon Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Thursday evening, May 30, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at the Vining Funeral Home and Friday morning, May 31, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m., in the Mt. Graham Chapel Relief Society room.
Those who would like to attend the services via Facebook Live can join on Vining Funeral Home's Facebook page, Friday afternoon, May 31, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. (MST).
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Betty Larson hosted by Vining Funeral Home.
