Carmen Gay Inda Larson

CARMEN GAY INDA LARSON passed away at the Raymond Health Centre on Monday, November 22, 2021 surrounded by Christmas decorations and music, engulfed in her favorite time of the year. She endured a long and painful battle with multiple health challenges, but was always cheerful and, when asked, was always doing “good”.

She will be missed by her six children, Wendy (Alan) Schlachter, Clinton Larson, Richelle (Carl) Savard, Lorinda (Graham) Larson, Brad Larson, Shauna (Julio) Motte, her 19 grandchildren, her three great-grandchildren, and her sister, Marian (John) Inda Smith, as well as all those who considered her a friend. Carmen was predeceased by her husband, Richard Larson, her parents, Dan & Emma Inda, and her two sons, Verdun and Darren.

Carmen was born on December 21, 1940 in Brooks, AB. She grew up in the United Church faith and often sang songs such as “Jesus Loves Me” and “The Garden” to her older children when they were young. However, after marriage, she became converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and remained strong in that faith, serving in many positions within the church. One of her favorite positions in the church was as a young women sports director. Carmen loved sports! She excelled at curling, baseball and basketball. She also enjoyed riding horses, swimming, reading, dancing, singing and genealogy. She valued the time she spent singing with Sweet Adelines, and would sometimes grab her somewhat reluctant husband to jive in the kitchen when Elvis’s songs played on the radio.

Carmen also loved travelling! She took her family on trips to B.C. and Disneyland, enjoyed a Church History tour, and travelled to France, Mexico and Spain. She was an accomplished seamstress who loved to learn. Her bookshelf was stocked with such books as interior decorating, gardening, carpentry, food preservation, languages, Barbara Coloroso and needlework. She left high school after grade 11 in order to work, completing her grade 12 courses after marriage via night school, online and in-person classes. At the age of 40, she returned to school, this time to obtain a B.Ed. degree. Carmen taught at the Northside Elementary School in Raymond for 11 years, where she formed deep friendships with many of the teachers there. She loved her children and grandchildren, was a trusted counselor to them, and welcomed family and friends with open arms to events at “the farm”.

The family would like to thank friends who cared for and visited Carmen, and those who provided exceptional care to her at the Raymond Health Centre for more than four years. We would also like to thank the Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral Home for their thoughtfulness and care at this time.

The funeral service for Carmen, with a tribute to Richard, will be held on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 221 N 400 W, Raymond, AB. A viewing will be held immediately preceding the funeral at the same location from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. The Restrictions Exemption Program will be in effect for this funeral. Masks are mandatory.

To participate virtually, a link will appear below this obituary on service day.

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