LaRue (Spencer) Sorensen

Link to Zoom Broadcast for LaRue's Funeral Service

     LaRue Spencer Sorensen died June 18, 2025 at age 95. Her legacy as World’s Best Bread Maker is only eclipsed by her skill for soothing crying babies, and her love of family and her eternal partner - husband LaDru.

     Our mom, LaRue, was born April 6, 1930 in Kanab, Utah to Olive and Karl Spencer who resided in Glendale, Utah. She was welcomed to the young family by two brothers. The Spencer’s family grew to twelve - nine boys and three girls.

     Mom’s life was filled with an abundance of family - ten children, 52 grandchildren, 90 great grandchildren, and now, eight great-great grandchildren.

     LaRue is an unwavering member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Mom lived her faith and looked forward to her new home in the Celestial Kingdom and to be re-united with the love of her life, LaDru (Duke) Sorensen.

     LaRue grew up in challenging times. Born at the cusp of the Great Depression, monetary things were scarce. Her father, Karl Spencer spent months away from home with his bands of sheep, moving from pasture to pasture throughout the West. Her mother Olive, was left to raise the growing family on her own. Hard work was a family heritage.

     Mom learned responsibility at a young age. The first daughter in a large family; caring for younger siblings, cleaning and cooking were essential skills useful throughout her life. But LaRue was just a kid, a regular kid. She waded in the creek, swung in the big tree and adventured with her brothers and sisters.

     Childhood in Southern Utah in the 1930’s was hard but also full of friends, adventure and societal firsts. Mom recalls the first street lamps in Glendale, she and her friends were excited to play the game Anka, Anka, Gra-Anka (the Swedish version of Duck, Duck, Goose) late into the night under the new street lamps. 

     Many people don’t know that our mom belonged to a gang, The Glendale Road Runners. We are sure they terrorized the small community of Glendale. One of the favorite things to do was have a contest as to who could make the whitest taffy. They have kept contact throughout their lives; Mom is the last of the gang.

     Glendale had a ski hill, when there was snow. Older brothers Stanley and Monte made skis in their High School shop class. Mom recalls skiing down the hill behind her house.

     Mom also recalled her first paid job outside their home. “I was only ten or twelve, our teacher had a big garden where we helped him plant and grow tomatoes. When they got ripe, we picked them and he shipped them to the Air Force base over at Las Vegas.”

     As she grew older, she was hired at a small store in Glendale to clean, stock shelves and wait on customers while the store owners took naps. This grew into waitressing in a café in Orderville where she worked after school and summers.

     Mom’s childhood and teen years bridged the Great Depression and World War 2. And then one fateful day, childhood ended. Into the café strolled a group of returned soldiers, boisterous and flirting. Flirty and teasing, LaDru Sorensen caught her eye. She stole his hat; he stole her heart- for seventy years. They were married December 18, 1947 in the St. George Temple. LaRue was a senior in high school, student body vice president and finished high school while living in her new mother-in-law’s home.

     Dad and Mom’s adventure spanned 70 years, three states, ten kids, moving to new ranches, cows, horses and service to their church. They never missed a ball game or event for their kids and grandkids. Mom and Dad had a true partnership - they did what was needed to make home, family, ranch and church life work. LaDru was church bishop for 18 years, for 18 years LaRue was church bishop’s support when work, kids or life needed done while he was away.

     Ranch work was never ending. “When I was a young girl, I watched my mom come up the hill from the barn carrying a bucket of milk in each hand. Dad’s old denim jacket over her dress and bare legs. I swore I would never learn to milk cows when I was married. We moved to Dietrich and there were more chores to do. We bought a herd of milk cows for extra money. I learned to milk cows.”

     Or the more romantic side of ranching – roping and doctoring cows. “LaDru had me drive the feed truck while he roped a sick cow off the back of the truck. The cow wasn’t as sick as she looked and ran off. Duke yelled, don’t let her get away. I floored the truck, bounced him all over, the cow dodged, I over steered the wheel and she was stuck under the bumper. He was able to doctor her without throwing the rope while the truck wheels straddled her.”

     LaRue fulfilled many church jobs throughout her years. Her favorite was always the nursery. Soothing and rocking fussing babies brought her joy- in spirit and in service.

     Mom is a humble woman. She wants to be remembered for the family she and Dad created, raised and marveled at. They lived a simple, honest life- the American Dream. Hard work, family, pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps. 

     Mom left us three things - love, stubborn pride and loyalty.

     “I’ll have a funeral if I must, but I don’t want to put anyone out. Get it over with in an hour.”

     A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 2:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Dietrich.

     A viewing will be held on Saturday from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at The Church.

     Burial will follow at the Dietrich Cemetery in Dietrich.

     Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service - Shoshone Chapel.

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