May Motsinger

Elizabeth May Motsinger—lovingly known as Mom, Cookie Grandma, Grandma May, Grandma Motsinger, Grandma Great, Grannie May, Grandma —passed away peacefully on June 16, 2025, at the age of 96, with her son at her side at the home of Stephen and Rosemarie Motsinger in Dixon, Missouri.

Though she spent her final years in Missouri, May’s heart was always rooted in American Fork, Utah, where she lived most of her life. Her days were full of faith,laughter, kindness, and a love so big it could stretch across generations.

She was born on Friday, November 2, 1928, in the Teton Basin of Driggs, Idaho, to Earl Larson and Edna Leona Wood. She was one of four children: Wanda, LeRoy, and Paul—May grew up between Driggs and Jackson Hole before life eventually took her to American Fork, California, and even Nürnberg, Germany

May began working at age 12 picking berries—she once joked she probably ate more than she collected, and huckleberries were her favorite. She held many jobs throughout her life, including at Thornton Drug Store as a soda jerk, waitress, secretary, and working at Yellowstone National Park and later retired from the Utah State Training School. She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. May’s faith was unshakable. She was always certain of two things: her belief in God and that she was a beloved child of God.

In September 1952, May walked into Deseret Chemical seeking a job and noticed “the most handsome M.P.”—Otis Motsinger. Their first date was October 2, 1952, and they married on August 29, 1953. Together, they raised five sons: Stephen, David, Charles, John, and Mark. Her family often joked she earned sainthood managing Otis and five boys. She loved those boys beyond words and was so proud of the men they had become. She always said she found the daughters she never had in her cherished daughters-in-law. As much as she deeply loved her children and daughters-in-law, the love she had for her grandchildren was truly immeasurable.

Preceded in Death By Her beloved husband, Otis Motsinger; her youngest son, Mark Motsinger; her parents, Earl and Leona Larson; and her siblings, Wanda Bonnett, LeRoy Larson,and Paul Larson. She is survived by her Children: Stephen (Rosemarie), David (Sarah), Charles, and John (Priscilla), her Grandchildren, Esther, Kimm (Shawna), Stephanie (Josh), Sophia, Cole,Jessica, Tyrel, Josh (Angie), her Great-grandchildren: Selena, Colton (Abbi), Kaydon, Adalyn, Lilly, Raylan, Ava, Priscilla, Jaxson, Jacob, Skyler (Shaylee), Hunter, Katie and one Great-great-grandchild, Jessie.

Service Information:
Viewing Tuesday, June 24, 2025 – 12:45 PM to 1:45 PM at Anderson & Sons Mortuary 49 East 100 North, American Fork, Utah Graveside Service Tuesday, June 24, 2025 – 2:00 PM American Fork Cemetery Officiated by Bishop Mike Bartholomew.