LaRella Larsen

LaRella Larsen, age 86, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, died on July 12, 2016.  LaRella was born on September 18, 1929 in Cleveland, Idaho to Nathan LeRoy Smith and Mary Burton Smith.  She graduated from Preston High School in Preston, Idaho in 1947.

LaRella married Theodore (Ted) Bickmore Larsen on June 18, 1947 at the LDS Temple in Logan, Utah.   She was married for 68 years (Ted preceeded her in death on June 30, 2015) and raised seven children: Theodore Barry Larsen & Anita June Hampton, (June proceeded LaRella in death), Beverly & Tommy Jay Tomlinson, Mary Ellen & Ricky Platts, Kent Brian & Kakala Larsen, Jeannie & Gary Dirk Keeler, Lori Ann & Byron Dean Walther and Christina & William Lee Adams.  LaRella also has 33 grand-children, 63 great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.

LaRella was very creative and loved painting, sewing, quilting, cooking, and crafting.  She worked as a graphic artist and office manager at A-Action Printers in Old Mesilla, New Mexico.  She worked at the New Mexico State University Bookstore for a number of years.  But LaRella especially loved teaching quilting for the NMSU Continuing Education Program which she did for five semesters.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LaRella served in many capacities: teacher, music leader, president of the Primary and Relief Society programs, stake librarian, family history consultant, stake missionary and a temple ordinance worker at the LDS Temple in Albuquerque.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 18, 2016 at 12:00 noon in the Preston North Stake Center on 310 N. State and Main St in Preston. A viewing will be held on Monday from 11:00-11:45 a.m. at the stake center. Interment will be in the Preston Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Webb Funeral Home. Memories and condolences may be share with the family at www.webbmortuary.com