Janice Nelson Larkin

Janice Nelson Larkin quietly slipped away on April 12th, 2023 surrounded by family and loved ones following a valiant fight against cancer.

Janice was born on October 15th, 1947, in Mink Creek, Idaho, to parents Lynn B. Nelson and Beverly Mae Anderson Nelson. The oldest of eight children, she learned early-on the value of hard work and the importance of family. She attended school in the small four-room schoolhouse in Mink Creek through sixth grade. After which she continued her education in Preston until her senior year of high school when the family moved to Smithfield, Utah, where she graduated from Sky View High School as a member of the inaugural graduating class from that then-new institution. She went on to study at Utah State University for nearly 3 years before leaving school to start a family.

While growing up, Janice gained a deep love of learning that she carried with her throughout her life. She loved to read and strove to always learn new things even amongst the many other demands she had as a daughter, sister, wife and mother. In early 1967, she met her future husband, Clair Coe Larkin. After a wonderful courtship, she and Clair were married on December 18, 1967, in the Logan Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, laying the foundations for their forever family.

Janice loved good music and passed on that love of music to her children. She learned to play the violin while in school and also played the tenor drum in the Preston High School marching band. She learned to play both the piano and organ and enjoyed playing regularly until arthritis made it too hard to do so. When they were young, her children didn’t appreciate the gift that she was giving them by making them take piano lessons and encouraging them to participate in band or orchestra; however, they now treasure this great gift and love of music that she blessed them with.

Janice had an incredible love for her family and was passionate to make sure that each family member had what they needed to succeed. She spent countless hours teaching, cooking, canning, sewing, crocheting, supporting, encouraging, and listening. She helped prepare countless church talks, school reports and lunches; juggled transportation to and from all the various places that the family needed to be; and worked tirelessly to serve others, often at the cost of her own dreams and desires.

A life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She had a love and devotion for her Savior and enjoyed serving in many different callings throughout her life. She especially enjoyed the time that she was able to serve together with Clair as full-time missionaries – first in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma mission as Military Relations missionaries and then later in the Church Headquarters mission at the Church Family History Library. While health concerns prevented a third mission, Janice and Clair continued to serve as Stake Historian Specialists until her passing.

Janice was preceded in death by her father Lynn B. Nelson, her mother Beverly Mae Anderson Nelson, and her sister LuAnn (White). She is survived by her husband, Clair Coe Larkin; their children Rick (Lisa), John (Tamara), Terrylyn, Tammy Young (Doug), Kathy, Sherrylyn Chapman (Paul), Michael (Melanie), and Julie Rowley (Tom); brothers Stuart, Neil, and Phil; sisters Peggy (Brown), Sharon (Coombs), and Cindy (Lieshman); 25 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Viewings will be held from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at the Nelson Funeral Home located at 85 S. Main Street, Smithfield, UT 84335; and from 9:30 am - 10:30 am on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at the LDS church located at 660 W 200 N, Smithfield, UT 84335. The funeral will be held starting at 11:00 am following the Thursday morning viewing. Following the funeral, Janice will be buried in the Smithfield City Cemetery located at 300 E. Center St, Smithfield, UT 84335.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Humanitarian Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Click the following link to view the funeral livestream: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88178417907?pwd=d0RmeVU0cHF3VHR3L2JqR0Zyclhrdz09
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