Ralph Horace Larsen passed away on Jan. 22, 1997 surrounded by his loved ones at Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence in Salt Lake City.
Ralph was born in Castle Dale, Utah April 9, 1920 to Horace Henry and Martha Strong Larsen. He married his sweetheart, Dorothy Helen Leatham, in the Salt Lake Temple on May 28, 1943. Ralph spent his youth in Castle Dale and Alpine, Utah. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Ferron, Utah camp, and attended Carbon Junior College. His family moved to Salt Lake City in 1939. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941, serving in the China; Burma; India theater, and later at Hill Field. After World War II, Ralph, his brothers, and brother-in-law owned the grocery stores known as Del Rae Markets. They also started a trucking company, moving freight from Hill Field to air bases in Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska. In 1954, he left the partnership, and bought the trucking company. He then made the transition to hauling new automobiles. In 1959, Ralph started hauling produce to the Buttrey Food Stores in Montana. His sons later joined him in this business. In 1981 the business was incorporated and known as Ralph H. Larsen & Sons, Inc. and the company grew to 19 tractors and trailers. The business was sold in 1990.Survivors include his wife, Dorothy: three children; Richard Howard (Jeanie) Larsen, Kathryn (Cal) Poulson, Ralph Timothy (Carol) Larsen. Ten grandchildren; Lisa (Mark), Sara, Timothy, Natalie, Tyler, Richelle, Bryan, Jennifer, Adam and Tanner and two great grandchildren Brent and Sheridan. Brothers Dean S. (Mary) Larsen, Reid S. (Jan) Larsen and sister Barbara (Les) Woolsey. Brother-in-law Howard B. (Arda) Leatham and sister-in-law Hettie Simmons and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express our appreciation for the loving care given for the last ten months by the staff at Garden Terrace.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Monday, January 27, 1997 at the Ensign Peak Ward, 125 East North Sandrun Road (940 North access via East Capitol Blvd.) Viewing will be Sunday the 26th at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Monday 10:45-11:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, you may consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, 455 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111. Interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery.
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