Dorene Larsen

Dorene Larsen was born in Salt Lake City on December 2, 1948, to Walter and Doris Brown. She was the first daughter born to her parents. Dorene’s early years were marked by frequent moves. She relocated 34 times before she was married and attended three different schools in the fifth grade alone. From a young age, she was active and athletic, running track in junior high and remaining involved in athletics throughout her life. Even as a child, her faith was important to her. She and her brother Rick made sure their younger siblings made it to church each Sunday, laying a foundation of devotion that would guide her throughout her life.

Dorene was married and sealed to Kurt Larsen on February 14, 1969, in the Los Angeles Temple. They made their home in California for 34 years, spending most of that time in Diamond Bar, where they formed many lifelong friendships. Her ward family meant a great deal to her, and she was deeply involved in church callings and the PTA. She earned her associate degree and taught preschool for 14 years, a role she truly loved. Teaching preschool remained one of Dorene’s greatest joys and carried over into the way she loved and nurtured her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In her 20s and 30s, Dorene also found joy and community through playing on a soccer team and participating in a bowling league.

Dorene was a lifelong Dodgers and BYU fan, and it was not uncommon to see her jumping up and down, cheering loudly at the television.

Her greatest joy in life was her family. Dorene and Kurt had four children and later welcomed 20 grandchildren, each of whom believed they were her favorite. She knew every grandchild’s birthday by heart. She also adored her great-grandchildren and was so proud to have 14 and counting.

Dorene and Kurt shared a love for travel, especially cruising. By their last count, they had taken 53 cruises, spending more than a year of their lives at sea. Hawaii was her favorite cruise destination, which they visited more than a dozen times.

Dorene had an unshakable testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ. Together, Dorene and Kurt served missions in Nauvoo, Illinois; at the Employment Center in American Fork, Utah; and at Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

Although she was born with a progressively degenerative eye disease that caused her to become legally blind, she never allowed it to be an excuse to not accomplish the things she wanted to do.

She was an avid cards and game player, and those games gave her significant relief during her battle with cancer. She loved card night with her dear friends every Monday and Wednesday.

Dorene passed away surrounded by her family on January 17, 2026, after an over two-year battle with cancer.

She is survived by her husband, Kurt Larsen, and their four children: Michelle Mooring (Jamie), Tricia Schroeder (Greg), Kaj Larsen (Shelby), and Bret Larsen (Brooke); along with her 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers, Craig Brown, and Gil Wilburn (Lynne), and sisters, Nancy Hansen (Scott), and Jodi Rix (Lorin).

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Doris Brown; her siblings, Richard Brown and Karen Needs; and her great-grandchild, Brooks Talbot.