Rachel Matthews Larson

Jun. 29, 1924 - Apr. 17, 2015

Date of Service: Apr. 23, 2015

Rachel Matthews Larson Rachel M. Larson

BURLEY - Rachel Matthews Larson, age 90, of Burley, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 17, 2015, at Cassia Regional Medical Center.

Rachel was born in Oakley, Idaho, on June 29, 1924, the daughter of Jesse William Matthews and Hannah Melvina Tinsley Matthews. She received her education at Burley High School, graduating in 1942. After high school, Rachel worked at Woolworths, a furniture store, and the Office of Price Administration. She married Gerald Wayne Larson on Dec 21, 1945, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They lived in California during Gerald’s service years, then moved back to Burley and farmed for Gerald’s dad before they moved to the Unity area.

Rachel was an active member of the LDS Church and served faithfully throughout her life. She served in the Relief Society, Primary, Young Women, was very involved in genealogy research, and volunteered at the genealogy research library for several years. She served a mission with her husband to Melbourne, Australia, and a temple mission in Boise, Idaho.

Rachel loved music, dancing, and crafting with her girls. She enjoyed crocheting and crocheted an afghan for each grandchild for high school graduation. She was an expert seamstress and cook. She loved all gardening, especially her flowers. She adopted many beloved cats over her lifetime.

Survivors include her children, Judy Child of Burley, Charles “Chuck” W. (Becky) Larson of Burley, Peggy (Quinn) Stirland of South Jordan, Utah, and Karen (Tracy) Cox of Paradise, Utah; a son-in-law, Boyd Palmer of Ogden, Utah; 25 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Barbara Larson Barrus of Boise; and a brother-in-law, Glen Larson of Burley.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Gerald Wayne Larson; a daughter, Patsy Palmer; her parents and siblings; a son-in-law, Gary Child; and a great-granddaughter, Savannah Rose Liljenquist.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 23, at the Unity LDS Church, 275 S. 250 E., of Burley, with Bishop Brent Greener officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the church.