Dale Larsen

Dale Louis Larsen, 84, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2024, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Dale was born on June 22, 1940, son of Rudolph Christian and Norma Beck Larsen in Rexburg, Idaho. Dale was raised on his father’s farm in the Independence (Burton) area, learning the value of hard work and farmhand “engineering.” Dale’s father encouraged him to focus on academics, and Dale excelled in mathematics and science, earning awards and recognition at an early age.

Dale graduated from Madison High School in 1958. He attended Ricks College and later Utah State University in 1963. After graduation, Dale worked for Western Electric in Omaha, Nebraska. While Dale’s work in the industry was short, he always spoke fondly of his time in Nebraska.

Dale met his wife and eternal companion, Diana Gail McCord, in 1967 at a church dance in Idaho Falls. They were married and sealed for all time and eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 17, 1968. Following the wedding, Dale returned to Logan, Utah so he could attend graduate school.

After Dale received his master’s degree, Ross Child, Dale’s former professor, asked him to return to Ricks College to help him create a new engineering program at the school. Dale accepted the offer and he and Diana moved back to Rexburg in 1970 where they raised their five children.

Dale retired from BYU-Idaho in 2005. He influenced countless students in both the engineering and math departments, and he would often speak with pride about their post-graduation accomplishments. His children who attended Ricks and later BYU-Idaho endured no shortage of anecdotes from his peers about Dale’s keen intellect and respect from among university staff.

In his personal life, Dale reserved nothing for himself and gave all that he had to ensure that his wife and children had what they needed. Dale was quiet and reserved, but his humor and good nature shone through when he was with his family. What little time he had for himself he dedicated to hobbies like constructing radio-controlled planes from scratch or building – but never quite completing – HO scale model railroad sets. Dale gave away more of his projects to his children and grandchildren than he ever kept for himself. Notably, when he passed, his room at the care facility contained model train engines, mathematics books, and various small appliance motors and batteries that he was subjecting to experiments and redesigns.

Dale’s expressions of love were more often shown by ensuring that each of his children had full tanks of gas in their cars, reminding them to check their oil, or tutoring them for hours into the night on math homework that should have been done before Sunday at 10:00 p.m. These subtle actions were not missed by his children. Though not one to wear his heart on his sleeve, after Diana passed away in 2018, Dale would often speak about her tenderly and conclude his comments with a simple: “I miss her.”

Dale served in numerous callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and most frequently held clerk positions at both the ward and stake level. Dale was not overt in his religious convictions, but he remained a faithful member of the Church his whole life and ensured that he held a current temple recommend even when he could no longer reasonably attend.

He is survived by his children: Nancy Larsen of Kaysville, Utah; Keith (Janae) Larsen of Rexburg, Idaho; Janalyn (Robert) Eddins of Idaho Falls; Shane (Ivy) Larsen of Placerville, California; Kayla (Hyrum) Johnson of Burley, Idaho; fifteen grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Dale is preceded in death by his parents Rudolph Christian and Norma Beck Larsen, his brother Gareld Rudolph Larsen, and his eternal companion Diana McCord.

Dale is also preceded in death by many dear friends, including Boyd Smith, Theron McGary, and Arvid Johnson. Dale’s friendship with these men lasted in some cases from grade school and was testament to his enduring loyalty.

Dale’s influence will be felt for generations to come. He set an example of quiet dignity, authentic compassion, and true loyalty that his descendants hope to emulate. His passing was not unexpected. Despite all forewarning, there is a great absence in the lives of those who loved him, but we are comforted in the knowledge that through our Heavenly Father’s Plan, Dad and Mom are reunited, never to be separated again.