Leola Lorraine Tracy Hurd

Snowville, Utah – My beloved "Mother", Leola Lorraine Tracy Hurd, 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving daughter, Zina Jane Nobles, Sunday, August 9, 2009. Mom was born May 25, 1924 in Yost, Utah to Leo Edwin and Sarah Virginia Wright Tracy. She was their first born and so named Leola after her father, Leo. There were seven siblings, mom then Miles Edwin Joy Tracy, Val George Tracy, Marion Fred Sanford, Dorothy Nadine Tracy Eddie Stevens, Clayton Orie Anna Tracy, Sherry Ann Bob Aust.
Mom met Dad at a dance in Naf, Idaho. Leola married Wallace Edmund Hurd in Ogden, Utah September 30, 1940. Their marriage witnessed by best friends, Jay and Dora Cutler.
They had four children: Jane, Lonnie, Letty and Merrell. They were all sealed together October 11, 1950 in the Logan LDS Temple.
Mom and Dad celebrated their 60th anniversary at Curlew Ward September 30, 2000 with a party given by their daughter, Jane.
Mom and Dad worked really hard their entire lives, owning a café and service station at their Snowville home. Working and driving together to Thiokol and owning and working over 1000 acres of land, ranching, raising cattle and paint horses.
Mother loved to be outside pulling weeds and working with her Hollyhocks and Iris. As children, we were raised under quilt frames set up in the living room. In the 1980's, Dad helped Mom made Sunburst Tie quilts out of neckties. Mom loved to sew making herself many beautiful dresses and formals for the Gold and Green Ball. We had skirts and dresses out of purple, green and pink that you could not buy anywhere. She was always measuring a grandchild for a new dress or western shirt. Mom did beautiful crochet work. We all are proud owners of a hand-crocheted tablecloth. Neighbors and friends received dolls, afghans, lace hankies and baby outfits.
She was Jane's model for both her Utah and California Hair license and her first plane trip to California, then after that she traveled many places and countries, but her Christmas in July trips to Washington State to be with her mother and travel with her sisters and daughters were her best memories.
Mother taught dance to the young men and women of the Curlew Valley, with practicing taking place in the living room at home where we had many holes in the bottom of our house slippers.
Chuck and I were privileged to have her in our home the last two months and add to our memories of a wonderful mother, friend and hero, who can have the last dance in heaven.
She is survived by Chuck and Jane Nobles; her sisters: Dorothy Nadine Stevens, Sherry Ann Bob Aust; sister-in-laws: Joy Tracy and Merlene Hurd; children: Letty Cottam Smith Peterson, and Merrell Hurd; ten grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and three great, great-grandchildren.
Family gathering August 14, 2009 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Curlew Ward, 75 North 100 East, Snowville. Closed casket per Leola Hurd's request.
Graveside Service 11:30 a.m. at Snowville Cemetery.
Lunch at the Curlew Ward at 12:00 noon.
Special thanks to the Nobles and Curlew Compassionate Service for the food. The wonderful nurses that helped in Mom's care, you all know who you are and special doctor, Dr. John Markeson.