Obituary for Larna Mae Sowards
Longtime La Jara resident Larna Mae Sowards, 85, died December 3, 2022 at her home in La Jara, surrounded by her family.
Larna’s life began in Manassa, Colorado on February 13, 1937, the daughter of Leonard Darnall and Phoebe Bailey Darnall. She married the love of her life, William “Bill” Winfield Sowards in Taos, New Mexico on January 28, 1955. They were sealed for all time and eternity at the Manti Temple in 1973.
Larna worked in several positions throughout the years including at the La Jara Elementary Schools, many years as a Legal Secretary, and later in life she worked for her son Ed at the Hometown Food Markets in Antonito. She enjoyed crafts and painted many dish towels and pillow cases. In her younger years she was a homemaker and seamstress and made many clothes for her daughters and sons. When she was older, Larna enjoyed square and line dancing. She was a very resourceful and spirited lady. She always enjoyed visiting with friends and family.
She is survived by her loving children Virgnia “Ginger” (Jim) Goris of Phoenix, AZ, Sherri (Albert) Gasperetti of Pueblo, CO, Cindy (James) DePriest of Manassa, CO, Ed (Dana) Sowards of Antonito, CO, and Kip (Rebekah) Sowards of La Jara, CO; her sister Barbara “Bobbie” (Roy) Orton of Monte Vista, CO; as well as thirteen grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Larna is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother Will Darnall, and her grandson Mark Sowards.
A Visitation will be held from 10:00-10:45 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 8, 2022 at the La Jara First Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment will follow services Thursday at the La Jara Cemetery.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online remembrances, condolences, or words of comfort for Larna’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com
Larna’s life began in Manassa, Colorado on February 13, 1937, the daughter of Leonard Darnall and Phoebe Bailey Darnall. She married the love of her life, William “Bill” Winfield Sowards in Taos, New Mexico on January 28, 1955. They were sealed for all time and eternity at the Manti Temple in 1973.
Larna worked in several positions throughout the years including at the La Jara Elementary Schools, many years as a Legal Secretary, and later in life she worked for her son Ed at the Hometown Food Markets in Antonito. She enjoyed crafts and painted many dish towels and pillow cases. In her younger years she was a homemaker and seamstress and made many clothes for her daughters and sons. When she was older, Larna enjoyed square and line dancing. She was a very resourceful and spirited lady. She always enjoyed visiting with friends and family.
She is survived by her loving children Virgnia “Ginger” (Jim) Goris of Phoenix, AZ, Sherri (Albert) Gasperetti of Pueblo, CO, Cindy (James) DePriest of Manassa, CO, Ed (Dana) Sowards of Antonito, CO, and Kip (Rebekah) Sowards of La Jara, CO; her sister Barbara “Bobbie” (Roy) Orton of Monte Vista, CO; as well as thirteen grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Larna is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother Will Darnall, and her grandson Mark Sowards.
A Visitation will be held from 10:00-10:45 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 8, 2022 at the La Jara First Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment will follow services Thursday at the La Jara Cemetery.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online remembrances, condolences, or words of comfort for Larna’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com