Larue Belnap Willis

LaRue Belnap Willis passed away on June 18th, following a stroke, with beloved family members by her side. The youngest of eight children, she was born on October 21, 1928 to Lester and Crystal Vere Belnap in the family home in Moreland, Idaho. She idolized her brothers, sisters, and parents. Soon nephews and nieces were born and became her playmates. LaRue had her own horse which was a dear companion as well as transportation for work and fun.
She loved school and was such a good student that she skipped a grade which allowed her to finish school at age 17. She spoke at her graduation from Moreland High School. She then went to Ricks College and graduated with a four-year degree in elementary education during the brief period that Ricks College operated as a four-year college.
LaRue served a full-time mission in the New England States for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. She had a teaching job waiting for her in Franklin, Idaho when her mission was over. She went on to teach in Shelley and Rigby, Idaho and finally Logan, Utah. There she met and became engaged to John Lane Willis. John and LaRue married on December 23, 1953 in the Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple and made their home in Logan, which they both considered the best place in the world.
She taught school for a time in Logan while John was finishing a master’s degree. While her kids were growing up she would substitute teach from time to time. Always interested in education, she was active in the PTA and served one year as the local president. LaRue worked at the Sunshine Terrace in recreational therapy for several years. She loved the residents and enjoyed doing crafts and other activities with them.
She retained her testimony of Christ, her love for family and others along with her sense of humor throughout her life. She made friends at every hospital and assisted living place in which she lived. At her 90th birthday party she recited from memory “The Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll. She is predeceased by one daughter, Geraldine, 1959, and her husband, John, 2011. She is survived by Crystal (Geoffrey) McKenna; Linda (Derk) Rasmussen; David (Carol) Willis; Carrie (Richard) Saunders; Dale (Amanda) Willis; Craig (Tanlee) Willis; Jeff (Ana) Willis; Kara Willis (daughter-in-law); 30 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
A viewing will be held Friday June 28, 2019 at the Allen Mortuary at 420 East 1800 North, North Logan, Utah from 6 to 8 p.m. There will also be a viewing on Saturday June 29, 2019 at the Chapel on 1105 E 2100 N in North Logan, Utah at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. followed by a remembrance of her life at 1:00 p.m. at the same location. Burial will be in the Logan Cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.allenmortuaries.net