Obituary for Michael Lowell Larsen
Michael Lowell Larsen was born in Soda Springs, Idaho on October 7, 1954. He was the first child of Lowell and Maureene Wilde Larsen, and they loved their beautiful baby boy dearly. Michael welcomed his sister, Shara, 8 years later and although he really wanted a brother, he loved her and she loved him all throughout their lives. He was the sweetest brother a girl could ever have. He will always, always be her Mikey.
Their family moved to Utah briefly and then lived in Southern California for many years, where he loved to surf. As a child, Michael loved all kinds of sports and was on a Little League baseball team his Dad coached for years. He also wrestled and played football in high school. He was intelligent and loved learning. He loved sportscars and his beloved Triumph Spitfire convertible. In his youth, Michael also loved going to his grandfather’s ranch in Cokeville, Wyoming. He would spend time with family riding horses and helping his uncles work the land when he would visit.
Michael served an honorable mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Philippines Davao Mission. He loved the people there as well as the culture, and they loved him. How blessed they both were when his sister was called to the exact mission several years later. They were both so overjoyed at the chance to share these experiences together.
Michael met and married the love of his life Diana Reed Warden Larsen, an opera singer in 1984. Together they traveled the world together and he supported her career. Michael was a Broadway and Opera agent with Diana and, together, they ran Warden Associates Artists Management for 10 years and co-founded the International School of Performing Arts, a two-week seminar for singers held each summer in Bucks County, PA.
Michael loved Diana’s two daughters Deirdre-Diana and Catherine. He found so much joy in raising his step-children, participating in school functions, and being in their everyday life all those years. These were truly the greatest days of his life. Michael also helped as a caregiver for Diana's former husband, William Warden, Sr. for 8 years. Anyone within his realm was loved!
Michael’s magnetic and jubilant personality and love of people were palpable. His gift of light, love, and laughter will be remembered by all who knew him. He was always the life of the party and a notorious practical jokester. He was a gifted musician and could play the saxophone like no other. He had a beautiful singing voice and because of that, and singing in the Utah Opera Company, was blessed to meet his beloved wife, Diana. He was an incredible cook, loved to garden, and had wonderful taste in everything. He loved and appreciated the beautiful things in life.
Michael will be missed by all who knew him, most especially by the love of his life, Diana. He lived for her and took care of her until he developed early-onset dementia almost two years ago. He was loving and caring until the very end.
In addition to Diana, Michael is survived by his mother Maureene Wilde Larsen; his sister Shara Larsen MacKay; dear friend and beloved former brother-in-law Bart McKay; his stepdaughters Catherine Warden and Deirdre Warden Snyder, Deirdre’s husband Richard, and their children Ava, Jacob, and Genevieve. He is also survived by his nieces Ashley Mackay Rasmussen (Joel), Courtney MacKay, Maren Mackay Jensen, his nephews Marcus MacKay and Derek MacKay, his Aunt Doris Bunderson (Richard), his Uncle Dee and Aunt Vonnie Wilde, Aunt Carol Wilde (Larry), and Aunt Diane Walton (Paul). He is also survived by his great nieces Lucy, Nora, and Scout, and his great nephew Taggart Joel Rasmussen. Michael has many dear cousins, including his beloved cousin Cherie Cloninger.
Michael passed away on Tuesday, January 31st surrounded by his family after suffering a brief illness. There will be a service in his memory on Friday, February 10th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Doylestown, PA. Visitation will be at 10:30am and a memorial service at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Doylestown Hospital.
Send condolences to www.varcoethomasfuneralhome.com
Their family moved to Utah briefly and then lived in Southern California for many years, where he loved to surf. As a child, Michael loved all kinds of sports and was on a Little League baseball team his Dad coached for years. He also wrestled and played football in high school. He was intelligent and loved learning. He loved sportscars and his beloved Triumph Spitfire convertible. In his youth, Michael also loved going to his grandfather’s ranch in Cokeville, Wyoming. He would spend time with family riding horses and helping his uncles work the land when he would visit.
Michael served an honorable mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Philippines Davao Mission. He loved the people there as well as the culture, and they loved him. How blessed they both were when his sister was called to the exact mission several years later. They were both so overjoyed at the chance to share these experiences together.
Michael met and married the love of his life Diana Reed Warden Larsen, an opera singer in 1984. Together they traveled the world together and he supported her career. Michael was a Broadway and Opera agent with Diana and, together, they ran Warden Associates Artists Management for 10 years and co-founded the International School of Performing Arts, a two-week seminar for singers held each summer in Bucks County, PA.
Michael loved Diana’s two daughters Deirdre-Diana and Catherine. He found so much joy in raising his step-children, participating in school functions, and being in their everyday life all those years. These were truly the greatest days of his life. Michael also helped as a caregiver for Diana's former husband, William Warden, Sr. for 8 years. Anyone within his realm was loved!
Michael’s magnetic and jubilant personality and love of people were palpable. His gift of light, love, and laughter will be remembered by all who knew him. He was always the life of the party and a notorious practical jokester. He was a gifted musician and could play the saxophone like no other. He had a beautiful singing voice and because of that, and singing in the Utah Opera Company, was blessed to meet his beloved wife, Diana. He was an incredible cook, loved to garden, and had wonderful taste in everything. He loved and appreciated the beautiful things in life.
Michael will be missed by all who knew him, most especially by the love of his life, Diana. He lived for her and took care of her until he developed early-onset dementia almost two years ago. He was loving and caring until the very end.
In addition to Diana, Michael is survived by his mother Maureene Wilde Larsen; his sister Shara Larsen MacKay; dear friend and beloved former brother-in-law Bart McKay; his stepdaughters Catherine Warden and Deirdre Warden Snyder, Deirdre’s husband Richard, and their children Ava, Jacob, and Genevieve. He is also survived by his nieces Ashley Mackay Rasmussen (Joel), Courtney MacKay, Maren Mackay Jensen, his nephews Marcus MacKay and Derek MacKay, his Aunt Doris Bunderson (Richard), his Uncle Dee and Aunt Vonnie Wilde, Aunt Carol Wilde (Larry), and Aunt Diane Walton (Paul). He is also survived by his great nieces Lucy, Nora, and Scout, and his great nephew Taggart Joel Rasmussen. Michael has many dear cousins, including his beloved cousin Cherie Cloninger.
Michael passed away on Tuesday, January 31st surrounded by his family after suffering a brief illness. There will be a service in his memory on Friday, February 10th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Doylestown, PA. Visitation will be at 10:30am and a memorial service at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Doylestown Hospital.
Send condolences to www.varcoethomasfuneralhome.com