Melba Joan Larsen

Melba passed away peacefully on October 1, 2025. She was born on August 9, 1928, to James Elbert and Lucina Snow Parker in Joseph, Utah. She was the 9th of 11 children born in the family.

Her family was typical of many at that time, with hard work and frugal living being part of everyday life. She had many chores on the farm that she shared with her siblings. Melba was part of a tight-knit family, and she enjoyed many reunions and trips with her brothers and sisters over the years.

Melba attended public schools in Joseph and Monroe, Utah, before leaving home to attend the University of Utah and BYU; eventually graduating from BYU with a degree in elementary education.

She married Daniel Birch Larsen in the Manti Temple on 11 June 1951. They were married 60 years at his death and were the parents of 6 children.

Birch graduated with a degree in Pharmacy, and in those days, a pharmacist was required to do an "internship" for several years before getting a license. Birch was hired by a pharmacist in Tahoka, TX. Melba and Birch lived there for about 4 years before returning to Utah to look for permanent employment.

When Birch couldn't find a pharmacy to buy in Utah, he decided to go back to Texas and eventually found a pharmacy in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, where he and Melba moved their little family of 4 children to begin a life filled with work, friends, and faith. They lived for 40 years in Texas, first in Mission and then in Edinburg.

Melba was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many, many positions in the church. Melba was a talented pianist and organist and used her talents over the years to build up and bless the lives of the members of the church in that area of Texas. She didn't like to be in the limelight but was well known for her compassionate service to the poor, the needy, and the infirm.

Melba and Birch, along with many others, were instrumental in the financing and construction of the LDS meetinghouse that is on the corner of 2nd and LaVista in McAllen, TX. She spent many hours organizing and working on fundraisers, picking rocks for the front wall of the chapel, and gathering scrap metal to earn the funds to build the building.

Birch was called by the Church to serve in Spain, Portugal, and Brazil with his beloved Melba at his side as his faithful companion. She never complained about leaving her home or family to accompany him on his church assignments out of the country.

When Birch retired, they moved back to Joseph, Utah, and to the big house where Melba was born and raised. They eventually sold that house and moved to Santaquin, Utah, where she lived until her death.

Melba was an avid reader and loved to read the histories of her pioneer ancestors. She collected antique furniture for many years, being able to see something beautiful in a broken-down piece of furniture. After she and Birch moved to Utah, she became an avid fan of the Utah Jazz.

Melba was preceded in death by her parents, James Elbert and Lucina Snow Parker, all of her siblings: Gerald, Vernon, Iris, Glen, Lynn, Sylvia, Fay, Margaret, Joyce, and Janice. Her husband, Birch, daughter, Katharine, and grandson, Brandon Larsen.

She is survived by Christine Hildreth, Charles (Leanne), Ann (Greg Kator), Daniel, James ''Bud" (Dalynda), and Thomas (Jenifer). She had 24 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren.

Shortly before her death, she expressed to a friend, "I hope I have lived a life worthy of acceptance to my Heavenly Father."

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 11:00 am at the church at 545 North 200 East in Santaquin.
Viewings will be held prior to services from 9:30 to 10:30 am and on Friday, October 17, 2025, and in the evening from 7:00-8:00 pm at the Church.
Burial will be in the Monroe City Cemetery at 3:00 pm.
Funeral Directors are Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Manti
An online guestbook can be found at www.maglebymortuary.com along with livestreaming of the services.