Sydney Kay Larsen

Sydney Kay Larsen, a man of profound resilience, dry wit, and unwavering dedication to his family, church and community, passed away peacefully March 16, 2026. Born Feb 5, 1941, to Joseph Acomb and Viola Wursten Larsen, he was the third son in the family of six children. Raised on the family farm in Mendon, Utah, Syd learned early on the value of hard work and it defined him throughout his life.

A skilled horseman and avid outdoorsman, Syd spent his youth hunting duck, pheasants, and deer in the fields and mountains of Mendon. He was an active Boy Scout, earning his Eagle Scout rank in 1954. Syd’s mother sent him for a haircut before his Eagle Scout ceremony. In a legendary display of his “fun side”, Syd returned home with a mohawk much to his mother’s dismay, but to the delight of his friends. Sydney’s sense of humor created a lot of laughter everywhere he went, and he used his humor to make others feel at ease.

Syd’s brillant mind was matched by his exceptional craftsmanship. As a boy he built model cars and airplanes; as a young man he built his own stereo system, radio, and the cabinetry to house them. Later in life he built a beautiful replica of a ship in which his wife’s ancestors would have crossed the Atlantic. He gifted this model ship to his wife in memory of their pioneer heritage. He always had projects going, continually working towards improving his home, knowledge, and skills.

Sydney attended Wellsville Elementary, South Cache Junior High and then graduated from South Cache High School in 1959. He served as President of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) from 1960-1962. Sydney was chosen to represent the FFA, and spoke at the National Convention in Pennsylvania both years while he was President.

Sydney pursued a degree in electronics and computer technology at DeVry Technical College in Chicago in 1961. Upon graduating, he returned to Utah taking a position as a technician at Sperry Rand in Salt Lake City. While working at Sperry Rand, he continued his education at the University of Utah. In July of 1963, while attending a Lambda Delta Sigma activity, he met his eternal companion Valerie Besendorfer during a moonlight hike. Their courtship continued through letters while Syd served as a communications lineman in the Air Force Reserves at Lackland Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. Returning to Utah after his training, Sydney attended Utah State University to study Computer Technology.

In October of 1964, a tragic hunting accident resulted in a severe deformity of Syd’s right hand. His response to this life altering event became a testament to his resilient character. While in the hospital, Syd asked his mom for a paper and pen so he could learn to write with his left hand. He underwent seven reconstructive surgeries, all while continuing his studies. Syd endured endless pain, however, he never complained. He immediately focused on ways to reshape his goals and career.

Sydney enjoyed music and learned to play the trumpet in junior high. Practice was never a chore for Syd. He loved playing the trumpet and became an excellent musician. He was often called upon to play trumpet solos at various events. After his accident, he was determined to learn how to play the trumpet with his left hand. His determination paid off and he continued as an accomplished trumpeter.

Valerie remained by Syd’s side and supported him throughout his recovery. On Christmas Day, in December of 1965, Sydney asked Valerie to marry him. They were married on August 26, 1966, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Following their marriage, Syd and Valerie continued their studies at Utah State University where Syd’s lifelong devotion to the Aggies began. A dedicated fan, he and Valerie held season tickets for football and basketball games for decades, rotating which of their children would accompany them and instilling in each of them a deep love for Utah State University. Syd also spent several years volunteering as a recruiter for USU Athletics—a role the family jokingly suspected he took just for the VIP parking. He took great pride in hosting prospective players at his home and often took them snowmobiling through the beautiful hills of Mendon.

In 1967, Syd graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He took a position in the Auditor General’s office at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho before being transferred to Hill Air Force Base in Utah. He and his wife bought their first home in Centerville, Utah, where they welcomed Kristen, the first of seven children in the fall of 1969.

Syd desired to return to Mendon and he and his mother opened the Valley View Nursing Home in 1970. He moved his family back to Mendon and welcomed his second daughter, Melissa, followed by his sons, Greg and Jeff. In 1982, the Valley View Nursing Home was sold, and Syd worked for a short time as the administrator at Sunshine Terrace Nursing Home. Syd later felt drawn back to his technical roots and he took a partnership position at Omnidata, a weather technology business. In 1987, he decided he wanted to own his own business and purchased a manufacturing company, Pro-tech Cases (later Brave USA), where he worked until his retirement.

During these years, the family grew with the arrival of three more daughters: Kelly, Lisa, and Cindy. Sydney was a deeply involved father who championed his children’s many pursuits, from sports to music and band; many family vacations were happily planned around these events. While Syd enjoyed golfing with Valerie and his business associates, his attempts to pass the skill to his children only truly took hold with Jeff.

Syd made sure every one of his children learned to ski. He helped establish the “Mendon Ski Lodge”—a local favorite on the hills above his home—where he would use a snowmobile to tow a four-person sled, giving neighborhood kids a lift to the top of the hill so they could ski or tube back down. Beyond the hills, Sydney’s passion for the open road was well-known, particularly his love for convertibles. It was a love that began with his 1957 Chevy Bel Air, the car he drove when he first met Valerie. Over the years, he delighted in surprising her with different convertibles that they used for their weekend getaways.

Each autumn, Sydney loved taking his children, and often his mother, to the family farm to admire the changing leaves and practice target shooting—a hobby he famously maintained with determination long after his accident. Summers were spent on the water at Hyrum Dam or Bear Lake, where the family gathered for water skiing and tubing. Syd was a natural on the water; he was such an accomplished skier that he would often stay upright until his muscles gave out, finally letting go of the rope only because he was tired. This love for the lake has become a family tradition as his children and grandchildren continue traveling to Bear Lake every summer.

When the time came to sell the boat, Syd built a pool and deck in the backyard, which quickly became the heart of many fun-filled afternoons of water volleyball. Backyard BBQs and parties were a staple at the Larsen home, and Syd hung a swinging bench on the back porch, which was often the spot everyone gathered around. In the quiet of the night, he would return to that bench to study his scriptures, enjoy a bowl of ice cream, or simply take in the evening air. Often, his wife or children would join him, rocking in rhythm as they soaked in his wisdom. It is a testament to those moments that all of his children share his lifelong love for rocking chairs.

Throughout their 59 years of marriage, Sydney remained Valerie’s most devoted and affectionate partner. His family fondly remembers how he would catch her eye and wink whenever she walked into a room. The two were a true team, especially in their garden, where they spent countless hours making their home a beautiful and peaceful place. Though they loved to travel and explore, Syd’s heart was always in Mendon, and there was no place he loved returning to more.

Syd was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in the Logan Stake Presidency, the Logan High Counsel, and the Stake Quorum of Seventy. He taught multiple Sunday School Gospel Doctrine classes, and was a dedicated genealogy indexer. Later in life, he and Valerie served two missions: one to Roseville, California (2015-2017) and a local mission at USU LDS Institute (2017-2019) working with special needs adults.

As a fourth-generation Mayor of Mendon (1996-2004) Syd’s legacy is etched into the town he loved. He was instrumental in the building of the Mendon Fire Station, the restoration of the Mendon Train Station, and the creation of the Mendon Pioneer Park – even gifting a historical cabin from his own property to the city.

We are deeply honored to have been part of Sydney’s journey. He often reminded us, “We will live our lives the best that we can, and endure to the end.” Truly, the life of every person he met was better for knowing him. As we move forward, we strive to honor his memory and continue his legacy, living our lives with the same purpose and strength as we, too, seek to endure to the end.

Sydney is survived by his wife, Valerie Lynn Besendorfer; children, Kristen (David) Jarrett, Melissa Thomas, Greg Larsen, Jeff (Anna) Larsen, Kelly (Jamie)Larsen-Trinkle, Lisa (Brandon) Scriver, Cindy (Scott) Ostermiller, Heidi Westover. His grandchildren, Tyler (Courteney) Jarrett, Ryan (Marisabel) Jarrett, Heather (Allen) Sulzen, Chantel Jarrett, Brayden Jarrett, Rusty Thomas, Asia Thomas, Azure (Mica) West, Jeraka Larsen, Kade Larsen, Destree Larsen, Sydney B. Scriver, Samantha Spray, Stephanie (Teddy) Bowlby, Jaden Hodges, Arthur Spray. Great-granchildren, Ace Jarrett, Parker Jarrett, Nevaeh West, Zina West, Jaxxen Bowlby. Brother Gordon Larsen, Sisters Nancy Larsen and Debby Herget.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Viola Larsen, brother Mark Larsen, and sister Verna Olsen.

The Larsen family would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to the caregivers at Cache Valley Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility for the exceptional care they gave to Syd. Your kindness, patience, and positive attitudes helped making the last few months easier for our whole family.