M. Gale Larsen

St. George, Utah - Milton Gale Larsen, 80, passed away Tuesday, November 26 2019, while doing what he loved most, checking his cows out on the Arizona Strip.

He was born on September 20, 1939 in Roosevelt, Utah to Etta Avera Holgate and Milton Keele Larsen. He married his eternal companion Ada Darlene Alldredge on May 6th, 1960 in the St. George temple.

Gale was raised in Arcadia, Utah, where he graduated from Union High School. That is where he grew to love farming and ranching; and also where he learned his dislike for the cold. He moved to St. George to attend Dixie College where he met his sweetheart.

Gale and Darlene returned to live in the Uintah basin to continue his first love of ranching but he quickly remembered his dislike for the cold. They returned to sunny St. George to open their own drive-in, Larsen's Frostop. Gale and Darlene ran and owned the Frostop for 37 years, where he taught his 7 children and all of those that were part of our Frostop family the importance of hard work and responsibility. Gale loved his employees just like they were his own children.  Many became life-long friends. He spent many years behind the grill cooking up queen burgers, but his true love was spending time chasing cows and riding horses.

Gale shared his passion of livestock with his grandchildren. It taught them responsibility and commitment. He has built up a great herd for the grandchildren to raise and show proudly at the Dixie Junior Livestock show every year. He always said, "we are raising kids, not animals." Many great memories have been made over the years at the farm together.

Gale was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He lived it and loved it. He served faithfully in various callings, including Bishop of the St. George, Utah 7th Ward. Throughout his church service he hardly missed a meeting and was always dependable. It was very important to Gale that his word meant something. If he committed to it, he did it. Together Gale and Darlene served for three years at the member locator mission in St. George. Missionary work was dear to his heart.

Gale had a love for music. He played the piano and accordion by ear. Some of the family's fondest memories are of listening to him and his sisters play their accordions together by the campfire at Larsen reunions. Gale enjoyed singing when no one was listening. Music always brought joy to him. He loved to share this joy with others by playing his favorite song of the week in his truck.  Over and over and over.

He is survived by his wife Darlene Larsen, St. George, Utah; sister June Richardson, Orem, Utah; sister Pauline Poulson, Rockland, Idaho; son Milton (Natalie) Larsen, St. George Utah; daughter Tammy (John) Hulet, Cedar City, Utah; daughter Terol (Jeff) Johnson, St. George, Utah; son Curtis (Kristen) Larsen, St. George Utah; son Lars (Julianna) Larsen, Mesa, Arizona; daughter Gayla (Scott) Peacock, St. George, Utah; son Nicholas (Whitney) Larsen, St. George Utah; 37 grandchildren; and 1 great grand daughter born the day before he passed. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister Erna Scholes; and grandson Joshua Larsen.

Funeral services for Gale will be on Monday Dec. 2nd at 11:00 am in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at 550 East 700 South, St. George, Utah.  There will be a viewing prior to services from 9:30-10:45 am.  There will also be a viewing on Sunday evening December 1st at the same location from 5-7pm.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Hughes Mortuary.  435-674-5000.