Luana P. Larsen

Aurora, Utah - Our beloved, mother, grandmother, sister and wife, Luana Peterson Larsen, age 82, of Aurora, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2016 in West Jordan, Utah. She was born March 21, 1934 in Salt Lake City, the oldest of four children born to George Victor and Thelma Chidester Peterson. Luana grew up in Beaver and Fillmore, Utah. She graduated from Millard High School, Class of 1952, where she was involved in Drama and acted in High School Plays. After graduation, she attended a Business College in Salt Lake City, for Secretarial training. She married Harrison Ford Simmons, June 26, 1954 in Malad, Idaho. They made their home in Salt Lake City. Together they had six daughters. They later divorced. Luana married Garth W. Larsen, August 25, 1981 in Aurora, Utah. They were later sealed in the Manti LDS Temple. She was an active member of the LDS Church, serving in many different callings. She worked as a receptionist and secretary at Sevier Valley Hospital and Sevier County Assessor's Office, for many years. She was a breast cancer survivor and for many years actively participated in "Relay for Life" fund raiser walks. Luana held various other jobs throughout her life. Before moving to Aurora, as a single mother, she worked many jobs, including ironing for people and tending other children in her home, in order to support and stay home with her daughters. She valued and appreciated nature. She was an avid gardener and exerciser. She loved swimming and speed walking. She was regularly seen run-walking around Aurora and Lost Creek. She loved hiking, camping, cooking, taking pictures, videoing her grandchildren and painting. She won many blue ribbons for her art work. She painted many beautiful scenes and portraits of her grandchildren. She loved traveling and spending time with, and caring her family. She adored her grandchildren and bragged about them every chance she got. Luana is survived by her two sisters: Geneal Simmons of Richfield and Rhea Burt of Parowan; her husband, Garth Larsen of Aurora; her daughters: Karrie Owens of Richfield; Shauna (and Art) Polson of Firth, Idaho; Christi (and Dillon) Dwyer of West Jordan; Robin (and Jerry) Mortensen of Provo; Jackie (and Brent) Terry of Fairview; step-children: Debbie Anderson of Aurora; Danny (Pam) Anderson of Sunset; Mark Anderson of Ogden and Stephen Larsen of California, as well as 25 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Thelma Peterson; her brother: George Wayne Peterson; daughter: Denise Simmons; and grandson: Tyson Simmons. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 27, 2016 at 12:00 Noon in the Aurora 2nd LDS Ward Chapel, where friends may come for viewing and visiting with family Monday morning from 10:00 to 11:30, prior to the services. Graveside services and burial will be Monday afternoon at 4:00 P.M. in the Fillmore City Cemetery, under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.