Ogden High School

Lawrence Childs Jansen - 2/6/2011

Class of 1940

KAYSVILLE – Lawrence Childs Jansen (Larry) was born June 25, 1922, to John and Blanche Childs Jansen, in Ogden, Utah. He graduated from Ogden High School in 1940, then attended Weber Junior College. When World War II began he joined the United States Coast Guard, serving for three years, first on shore patrol, then later assigned to an LST (landing ship tank) in the South Pacific, taking troops and equipment into battle.

After the war, he attended Brigham Young University where he met and married his eternal companion, Lynne Russell on June 25, 1948 in the Salt Lake Temple. He graduated from the University of Oregon in Architecture, and later formed his own Architecture firm. He was responsible for designing many homes, churches, schools, civic and business buildings, in the Salt Lake and Davis County area and in Colorado and Oregon. He also taught architecture and computer drafting at Salt Lake Community College for 19 years.

He was a member of the LDS Church and served in numerous stake and ward positions in Scouting, Young Men, Elders and High Priests Quorums, but teaching Primary was his favorite. He was an ordinance worker in the Bountiful Temple, and assignment he really enjoyed. Larry was a registered scouter for over 70 years. He received the Silver Beaver Award, and was a charter member of the Silver Beaver Colony. Many young men who wished he would “get off their backs,” later thanked him when they received their Eagle Scout Awards.

He lived in Kaysville 52 years. While a member of the Kaysville Lions Club, Larry and Hiney Bishop made the plywood Christmas decorations we all have been enjoying for years on the City Hall property. Larry drew the designs and Hiney sawed them out and they, with the help of other Lions Club members painted them. It was their job for many years to repair, repaint, set them up, and take them down. He was a member for many years of the Kaysville Rotary Club, and was a willing worker in their projects and activities. He was also a member of the Kaysville/Fruit Heights Civic Association, and enjoyed his service and activity in that capacity. He was awarded the Unsung Hero Award by the Civic Association for 2003.

He enjoyed the position of co-chairman for his Ogden High School Class of ’40 on the 50th, 55th, and 60th reunions.

His favorite pastime was his model railroad. His grandkids and many neighborhood kids loved to visit him, and his railroad. After his retirement he began oil painting, leaving a legacy of many paintings his family will continue to enjoy for generations.

He and Lynne have seven children, 31 grandchildren, and 46 great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, daughters Alene (Steve) Dinger, Taylorsville; Carla (Jeff) Hollist, Kaysville; Claire (Tom) Dickson, Huntsville; Laurette (Kurt) Mortensen, South Jordan; Kay (Dave) Scheurer, Magna; Jeri (Con) Wilcox, Clearfield; and son Russell Jansen, Kaysville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sister Harriet Bathke, and daughter-in-law Sharon Jansen.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 11, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Kaysville 13th Ward, 200 North 875 East, Kaysville.

Friends may visit family on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 North Main and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank Legacy Hospice and Comfort Keepers for coming into our home and giving such tender care the last three weeks of his life.

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