LaRue Ballard Neeley

LaRue Ballard Neeley passed away Saturday, August 30, 2014. She was born at the family home in Benson, Utah on January 8, 1927 to her loving parents Henry William Jr. and Almeda Jane Roundy Ballard. She was welcomed by her brothers – Nolan, Kenneth and Bill and by her sisters – June and Gwen. Her sister LaRae was born two years later. The two of them resembled each other so much that they were often thought to be twins. She spoke often and fondly of their perfect home where she remembered no quarreling or unkindness of any kind. While growing up, she worked along with her family in the poultry business. Her main duty was the gathering, scrubbing and crating of the eggs in preparation for transportation to Logan. She was taught to work hard and learned every homemaking and gardening skill imaginable. These skills she used throughout her life. Her home was always neat and clean. Her family was well fed by her gifted cooking skills, and they were well clothed mostly by her own sewing talent. Her yard and garden were beautifully kept, and it was often mentioned that these must have resembled the Garden of Eden.
LaRue attended elementary school in Benson, junior high school in Smithfield and high school at North Cache. She met her future husband during her junior year, and they dated through the next year until he was drafted during World War II. During her senior year, Kay returned on leave, and they were married April 3, 1945. She was often teased about marrying while still in high school.
When Kay returned from the war, they made their home in Cornish, Utah where he partnered with his father on the dairy farm. To their family they welcomed five children. Each one was loved and taught how to work. In this home, the love of the Savior was present, and the children all learned to pray at their mother's knee.
She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She defended her beliefs and bore her testimony often to her family. Her example was Christ like. She held many callings in the church, mostly in Primary and Relief Society. After thirty years of farming, mom and dad sold the farm and moved to Smithfield, Utah. She was called to the church extraction program and served there faithfully for thirty years.
She loved camping with her husband and her brothers and their wives. Their favorite camping spots were Sunrise and Wood Camp in Logan Canyon. Her husband, Kay, died April 25, 1991. Her parents, brothers and sisters and their spouses have all preceded her in death. We as a family are grateful for the happy reunion they are experiencing now that she too has graduated.
She is survived by her children – David Bonnie of Perry, Utah, Kristine Michael Oliverson of Smithfield, Utah, Scott Debbie of Riverton, Utah Dennis Shanna of Preston, Idaho, and Kaylene Larry Johnson of North Logan, Utah. She also has 20 grandchildren and 53 great grandchildren with one more on the way.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 3 in the Smithfield South Stake Center, 451 S 250 E at 12:00 noon. A viewing will be held Tuesday, September 2 in the Nelson Funeral Home at 85 S Main, Smithfield from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church prior to the services from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com
The family would like to thank the compassionate care from Intermountain Hospice during her last week of life, especially Anna. Thank you as well to her kind neighbors of the Spring Meadow subdivision.