Lewis H. "Dude" Larsen, age 88, passed away at his Valley Park Ranch home near Divide, Colorado, Oct 14, 1997 of causes incident to age.
He was born July 12, 1909 at Richardson, Utah (near Moab), to Thomas Mads and Rebecca Elizabeth Dahling Larsen. Dude married Dorothy "Dot" Robb, May 9, 1932 in Grand Junction, Colorado. She preceded him in death April 28, 1990. Together they had four children: Bette L. Stanton, Moab, Utah; Thomas Ray Larsen, Davis, California; Wava Lee Papale, Divide, Colorado; and Sharon Delores Parker, Twin Bridges, Montana. Dude and Dot later divorced and in 1967, he married Lelia Hackman Sudholt, of Denver, Colorado, who also preceded him in death in 1985.Dude Larsen was a cowboy and rancher, who became a famous Western artist and poet during the 1930-40's, when he made postcard reproductions of his paintings and sold them throughout the country and abroad. Settling in Kanab, Utah, he became involved in Republican politics, serving as party chairman and City and County Attorney. In 1949, he was elected State Senator, representing a five-county area for a four-year term. He then pursued in oil, gas, and minerals development for a number of years. This was followed by a return to ranching, with headquarters in Milford, Utah, and Lone Tree, Wyoming, where he and his family ran 2000 head of cattle. A very complex man, Larsen also wrote a book, "Universal Law of Man", which highlighted his spiritual revelations. Following his second marriage, he and his wife made their home at Valley Park Ranch in Colorado.
Mr. Larsen is preceded in death by his parents and all six brothers and sisters: Jennie Finley, Thomas Ray Larsen, Ed Larsen, Edna Hunter, Charles Larsen, and Pearl Sever. He is survived by his four children, along with nine grandchildren: Brad Fulton, Cindi Butler, Tyde Stanton, Ted Rush, Duke Papale, Tom Larsen, Jr., Mike Larsen, Steve Larsen and Dallas Hill; and sixteen great-grandchildren. Dude's legacy to his family includes the gift of positive thinking, which bears the fruit of spiritual awareness. He will long be remembered.
Funeral services will be held Sat. October 18, 1997 at 11 a.m. at Spanish Valley Mortuary, 386 North 100 West, Moab, Utah. A viewing will be held Sat., Oct 18, 10-11. Interment, Grand Valley Cemetery, Moab, Utah.
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