Obituary of LaRene Larsen Berthelson

LaRene Larsen Berthelson was born March 16, 1931, in Blackfoot, Idaho. She was adopted a year later by her aunt, Caroline Larsen, and her husband, Hurley Berthelson, and was their only child. LaRene spent her early childhood in Blackfoot and Pocatello before moving with her parents to Treasure Valley, living in Caldwell, Boise, then nearly sixty years, on their acreage near Meridian.

LaRene was deeply loved by her parents. She participated in ballet and tap dance as a child, and also became proficient at the piano and organ. She was a voracious reader with a house literally full of books! Her most enduring interest was horses. She often reminisced about riding her horse from her south Boise home to the state fairgrounds, then located on the bench near Fairview Avenue and Orchard Street, then back home again! She also loved to ride horses with her father in the hills above Boise where the family owned some land and built a small cabin in the 1950’s.

She graduated from Boise High School in 1949 and attended Utah State University for one year as a nursing student. She maintained in later life that it was too cold to live in Logan, Utah, so she was happy to return to Boise and her horses! She joined the Ada County Mounted Posse-ettes Riding Club during the 1950’s, performing with them in local parades, the Snake River Stampede, and her triumph, the Calgary Stampede! She raised horses for many years, then also raised cats, some of which she would show at local cat shows, even hosting one cat show! She fostered cats for the local humane society for several years and adopted some there as well. And let us not forget her love of Great Dane dogs, she owned several until she was too old to exercise them. She has always loved animals and supported many wildlife causes over the years. She often said she preferred animals to people because they were more dependable and showed more unconditional love.

LaRene worked at Intermountain Gas for many years, then at Micron until her retirement in the 1990’s. She then volunteered for the Fourth Judicial District Court until December 1999, visiting and checking on the status of senior citizens under guardianship. LaRene lived independently at her home until the last five months of her life.  A fall and stroke in October sent her to the hospital and eventually to Butterfly House Assisted Living near Meridian, Idaho, where she passed peacefully from this life on March 4, 2024. Thank you to the staff there and to Keystone Hospice for your loving care these past few months.

LaRene was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In her early adult years, she served as a ward chorister and as an organist. She spoke fondly of the years her father served as a bishop in Boise Sixth Ward, helping build the meetinghouse on Broadway Avenue. She outlived most of her family and is survived only by a few cousins.

In May of 1999, a fire broke out in LaRene’s living room, causing damage there and in her kitchen, as well as smoke damage throughout the house. LaRene had become quite a “loner” through the years, but the fire brought many neighbors and church friends to her aid, who continued to check on her regularly and include her in activities as well. She seemed to realize that people really do care, and she has opened her heart to this “extended family” ever since. She has touched many hearts with her wry humor, her love of chocolate (especially Pinwheel cookies!), her passion and appreciation for furry friends, as well as her loyal friendship. She will be missed.