Carl Victor Larson

Carl V Larson obituary

Carl Victor Larson, of Spanish Fork, Utah, passed away on May 11, 2026 after a long, debilitating illness. Carl was born January 15, 1944 at Ft. Lewis, Washington, the son of Maj. Dr. RV and Mrs. Helen Larson. After his father returned from the European Theater, the family settled in Roosevelt, Utah.

Growing up in Roosevelt, Carl was very active in Scouting, where he attained the rank of Life Scout and Explorer Silver award. He attended two national jamborees and one world jamboree, in Colorado Springs, Valley Forge, and Manila, Philippines. He attended Union High School, playing Center on the basketball team and saxophone in the band.

Carl attended Brigham Young University, earning a degree in Zoology. It was there he met his bride Margaret, and they were married in 1968. 

From 1963 to 1965, Carl served as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints in Frankfurt, Germany. He loved the German people, language and culture, and throughout his life, he cultivated this passion, always preferring his German (Lutheran) Bible to King James. 

Carl served in the US Air Force and the Utah National Guard, retiring in 2000 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. As an Airman, he worked as a medical technician, training he would put to use in his professional civilian life. In the Guard, he served as a German linguist and as a counter-intelligence instructor—roles he thoroughly enjoyed. His time in the USAF took him and Margaret to San Antonio Texas, Vacaville California, and overseas to Lajes Air Base, Azores Islands, Portugal.

In 1974, Carl and Margaret moved their young family to Smithfield, Utah, where they raised their five children. In 1992, they relocated to Spanish Fork, Utah, where they lived until 2025, when declining health brought them home, to Cache Valley.

Carl had a love of history, and particularly for the Mormon Battalion. Over decades, he conducted extensive research, identifying and documenting the more than 500 volunteers. Family vacations doubled as research trips, visiting burial sites and exploring such exotic locations as the Big Rock Candy Mountain, Crater Lake National Park, the City of Rocks, and innumerable Church and U.S. historical sites and national parks and monuments. He eventually donated his work to the University of Utah, where it contributed to the KUED production Battalion.

Though never wealthy, Carl was generous, always ensuring his children were cared for and didn’t go without. He provided for his family’s needs and, through great sacrifice, gave them opportunities that would otherwise have been out of reach.

Carl and Margaret served a mission together in Frieberg, (formerly East) Germany from 2010-2012. One of the great joys of his life was witnessing a temple established in what had once been behind the Iron Curtain, and then serving there as a temple worker. 

Carl is survived by his wife of 58 years, Margaret; his children Lars, Maren, Eric, Sara and Reed and their spouses; 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Ann, and brothers Paul and Don. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Ralph and Jon. 

Carl leaves behind a legacy of devoted service to his church and community. He served faithfully in many callings, including bishopric, high councilor, and Sunday School teacher. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and taught his family the values of work, compassion, tolerance, and love for all people.

A public viewing will be held at the Spanish Fork 14 th Ward, 1750 East 750 South, Spanish Fork, Utah, on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 10:00AM, followed by funeral services at 1:00PM. Burial services will be at the Smithfield, Utah cemetery on Friday, May 29 at 11:00AM.

The family would like to thank the staff at Autumn Care Assisted Living and Ascend Hospice Care for their devoted service and care for Carl.