Maedawn Larson

Gunnison, Utah - Our beloved mother, grandmother and sister, Mae Dawn Mickelsen Larson, age 90, of Gunnison, passed away November 6, 2016 in Centerfield. She was born September 26, 1926, a daughter of Earl Andrew and Martha Myrl Curtis Mickelsen in Salina, Utah. Mae Dawn was raised in Salina and Gooseberry. During the school years they lived in town, but in the summers they lived at their Gooseberry Ranch, which she dearly loved. Mom graduated from North Sevier High School, Class of 1944. During that summer, July 19, 1944, she married DeVon Levern Larson, of Axtell in the Manti LDS Temple. They made their home in Axtell and had five children, Yvonne, Linda, Earlene, Lee and Don. In 1955, tragedy struck and Dad had a farm accident in which he lost a leg. After this accident, Dad was in and out of hospitals due to his accident and related injuries. About a year later, both Mom and Dad attended the Salt Lake Trade Technical College in Salt Lake City. mom graduated in Cosmetology and Dad in Mechanical Drafting. Life was not easy for Mom. She was more or less the "bread winner" for the family while raising five children. In the next ten years they lived in bountiful, Gunnison, Salt Lake City, Logan, Bellingham, Washington and finally in 1965 settled back in Gunnison for the third time and remained there. Dad died in November 14, 1992. Mom worked as a beautician for nearly 60 years, most of which was in her own shop in the family home in Gunnison. She was active with the Utah Cosmetology Association doing service projects like doing hair for the elderly. She also did hair for the morticians when a client passed away or on the mortician's request. Serving others in time of need was one of her greatest assets. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in Relief Society, Visiting Teaching, Cub Scouts, Adult Singles Representative for a few years after Dad died, and other callings. She was always willing to serve where she was needed. She was loved by family, friends, neighbors and her clientele and she loved them in return. Mom loved the outdoors, whether it was fishing, camping or working in her yard. She and Dad have traveled through almost every state, enjoying the scenery and wild life. Mom's legacy to her family is her example of honesty, integrity, service, perseverance, love, kindness and good hard work. She will be missed by all who knew her. Mom is survived by her children: Yvonne (Gene) Bardsley of Centerfield; Linda (Glen) Mickelsen of Redmond; Earlene (Sam) Castro of Redlands, California; Lee (Brenda) Larson of Culowhee, North Carolina; Don (Linda) Larson of Sanford, North Carolina; 22 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters: Colleen (Roger, deceased) Rasmussen of Farmington, New Mexico; and Kaye (Marius, deceased) Despain of Axtell. Mom was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Myrl Mickelsen; her husband, DeVon Larson; an infant brother, Edward Earl Mickelsen; two sisters: Twila Hanna of Oregon and Jenave (Paul, deceased) Bastian of Salina. The family would like to express sincere appreciation for the love and care of the staff at the Mission at Community Living Rehab Center in Centerfield where she has spent the last year and a half. They were all so loving and caring. Thank you so much for taking such good care of our angel mother. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 11, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. in the Gunnison LDS Stake Center, where friends may call for viewing Thursday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Friday morning from 9:00 to 10:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Gunnison City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.