Larae Bartholomew Chatelain

LaRae Bartholomew Chatelain, 94, formerly of North Logan, Utah passed April 8, 2019 in Valdosta, Georgia. She was born on September 18, 1924 to Ray Calvin and Martha Wintsch Bartholomew of Fayette, Utah. Ray farmed there and tended sheep during the lean years of the Depression, and Martha was Fayette Postmistress for over 30 years. LaRae had a thirst for learning and travel. She graduated from Utah State Agricultural College in June, 1946 with a contract to teach high school in Snowflake, Arizona. However, she met her eternal love, Jack Chatelain, at a Mutual party up Logan canyon, just a week before graduation. They were married in the Manti Temple on November 29, 1946. Jack attended graduate school while LaRae taught at Bear River High School. Jack's pursuit of a PhD in Physics took them to Laramie Wyoming; Berkeley, California; Anchorage, Alaska: Las Cruces, New Mexico; Madison, Wisconsin; and finally Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Along the way LaRae held the family together, always working and teaching her children to hope for the best. During these exciting years they welcomed Ann (1951) and Ed (1955). Jack was hired by the Physics Department at USU in 1957, and the young family moved to Logan, welcoming Pete in 1960.
LaRae earned a BS degree in Botany in 1967, and a MS degree in Household Equipment in 1969 from USU. She taught Housing and Household Equipment classes at USU from 1969 until retiring in 1987. LaRae earned her Doctorate from Florida State University in 1981. The family moved to North Logan in 1973, where Jack built three greenhouses to support their budding collection of orchids. After retirement, LaRae worked every day tending the hundreds of exotic orchids, which were then offered at the Logan Regional Hospital Gift shop. These rare (for Logan) and exquisite flowers were then enjoyed by patients and their families for many years. They so enjoyed summer reunions with Ann (Steve), Ed (Margie) and Pete (Kris) and their families! In early 1999, after years of remission, Jack passed from prostate cancer.
LaRae then traveled with her daughter Ann to distant lands; China, Thailand, Egypt, Greece, Venezuela Chile, and Hawaii. Ann's husband Steve arranged their itineraries, while Logan Bingham watered her orchids. She even hiked to Utah's Delicate Arch at age 86! Failing eyesight closed her cherished orchid business, and she moved to Valdosta, Georgia in January, 2016 to the delight of her son Ed and daughter in law Margie. She loved the warm climate and the green countryside, but so missed her dear Logan friends! She treasured family visits from Ann and Steve, and Pete. As her memory began to fade, she recalled her early days, family gatherings, and yearned to go home to Fayette.
LaRae was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers and 4 sisters, granddaughter Leslie, and daughter Ann. She is survived by her son in law Steve Moosman of Cocoa Beach, Florida, son Ed (Margie) of Valdosta, Georgia; grandson Court (Sarah) and great grandsons Oliver and Anthony of Canton, Georgia; and son Pete (Kris) of Bountiful, Utah grandson Shaun (fiancé Ally Pete) of Tucson, Arizona and granddaughter Kelli of Bountiful, Utah.
Funeral services will be held at Allen-Hall Mortuary on Saturday, April 20, in Logan, Utah at 11:00 AM. Friends may visit at 10:00 AM. The family is eternally grateful to Elaine Robinson of Valdosta, Georgia, whose constant care, marvelous companionship and patience, were a Godsend to LaRae for the last three years. We are also thankful to Hospice of South Georgia, Nurse Collette, and Teresa and Crystal for their gentle, loving care.