Gwendolyn Worden Larson was born on June 2, 1930 in Safford, Arizona to James Franklin Worden and Dorothy Kartchner. She died on Wednesday March 13, 2019 in San Tan Valley, Arizona at age eighty-eight. Her husband Orvil K (Chuck) Larson preceded her in death. She is survived by her eight children, forty-two grandchildren and eighty-two great-grandchildren. Gwen is also survived by her sister Margaret Allred.
Chuck and Gwen were married on January 2, 1951 in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were married for sixty-two years. Early in her marriage, Gwen was a bookkeeper for Sparks Furniture in Thatcher, Arizona. In February 1961, as a result of a transfer with Clover Club Foods Company, Chuck and Gwen moved their family from Thatcher, Arizona to El Paso, Texas. In 1962, she began a successful career with Cardon & Company Real Estate as a bookkeeper and insurance manager. In 1974, Chuck and Gwen realized a dream of starting their own real estate company, Larson & Sons, Realtors, with Gwen acting as Office Manager and Bookkeeper. In 1985, she returned to work for Cardon & Company where she remained until her retirement in 2005 at age 75.
Gwen was a lifelong active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Much of her life was spent in the service of others within and without the church. She served as a choir director, Cub Scout Leader and many other callings within the Church. Gwen was an accomplished vocalist with an angelic soprano voice. Her greatest joy was to serve her children and grandchildren. Her children include Doug (Perri) Larson, Franklin Van (Rhonda) Larson, Clark P. (Joan) Larson, Debbie (Tom) Cardon, Alice (Mike) Goodman, Don K. (Peggy) Larson, Charles Keith (Joy) Larson and Richard S. (Dalila) Larson. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, a brother, and two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family will receive friends at a viewing held Thursday March 21, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 PM. An additional viewing will be held Friday, March 22, 2019 from 10:00-10:45 AM with the funeral service following at 11:00 AM Viewing and services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse located at, 39477 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, Arizona 85140. Interment immediately following at San Tan Memorial Gardens.