Viola Cooley Larsen

Viola Cooley Larsen, 95, of Logan, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2008, at Sunshine Terrace of incidents related to age.
Viola was born on September 19, 1912, in Newton to Walter A. and Edith Rigby Cooley. She lived in Bancroft, Idaho, during her early childhood where her family operated a farm. After moving back to Newton, she graduated from North Cache High School in 1930. She worked in the Stockton Christensen store in Logan for a year following high school. She married Edward M. Larsen, also of Newton, on Sept. 2, 1931, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Following their marriage, they lived in Bear Lake for five years where Ed sold Watkins products. Viola usually traveled with him spending her time reading, sewing, or crocheting. In 1937, they moved to Logan and lived there the rest of their married life. They were privileged to adopt their daughter, Myrna, that same year. When Myrna was 10 years old, Viola started to work. She worked at Cache Knit, State Hardware, and Cleve's Foodland. In 1956, she started working as a Deputy Assessor in the Cache County Courthouse. She worked full-time until Ed suffered a stroke, causing her to work part time until her retirement. Viola was a longtime member of the Logan 6th and 14th Wards and always served in the various organizations of the LDS Church. When Ed's condition caused them to be homebound, she crocheted baby booties for the Relief Society and served as a visiting teaching supervisor. She also collaborated with her mother in preparing Books of Remembrance for family members, particularly securing pictures of early progenitors. Before Ed's mobility became limited, they enjoyed travel to many areas of the United States with various tour groups. Viola cared for Ed in their home until his death in 1999. She enjoyed reading and jigsaw puzzles. She always kept her hands busy with crochet hooks and knitting needles. She made numerous detailed afghans. She also did a lot of needlepoint and cross-stitch. Viola moved to Pioneer Valley Lodge in North Logan in 2005 and enjoyed nearly three years there. She loved associating there with new friends and old acquaintances. She especially enjoyed being able to attend the Pioneer Valley Branch. Her family wishes to thank the kind caregivers at Sunshine Terrace and Logan Rehabilitation where she spent time during her final year. Viola is survived by a daughter, Myrna Larsen Parker, Ocean Shores, WA; grandson Max P. Parker and his wife Jeanette and great-grandson Connor Joseph Parker, all of Diamond Valley, UT; granddaughter Marie Theresa Parker, Seattle, WA; a brother Lyle Cooley and his wife Charlotte, Newton; a sister Reta Cantwell and her husband Lawrence, Smithfield; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Larsen; her son-in-law, Max Parker, her parents, her brother LeRoy Cooley and his wife Wilma, her sister Sara Edgel and her husband John, and her sister-in-law Donna Cooley. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2008, at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 E. 400 North, Logan. Friends may call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Newton Cemetery. Condolences may be extended online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com .