Lou Ann Checketts Hlavaty

Our beautiful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend passed away peacefully on Monday, September 19, 2022, at the age of 89.

She was born on March 26, 1933 to Lyman and Lucia Wahlen Checketts in Logan, Utah during the difficult years of the depression, yet she had a fun-filled childhood. She was blessed with many aunts, uncles, and cousins with whom she made many happy memories. Her one adversary was a large rooster who chased her around the yard when she attempted to feed the chickens. After years of being an only child, she became a big sister when her brother Brent was born. She had waited over a decade for this blessed event. She worked at her father’s drive-in, first behind the counter slicing pickles and molding hamburger patties, and later as a car hop. After high school, she and her friends attended Utah State Agricultural College where she was an Alpha Chi and a member of the US Army Sponsor Corps. She studied secretarial science, worked on campus using her “short-hand” skills, and met an Idahoan named Ray Hlavaty in the TUB – the Temporary Union Building. They were married on May 24, 1954.

They spent the early years of their marriage in Virginia, Wisconsin, and Kansas where Ray served in the Army. Their first child Lauri was born in Kansas. Next, they moved back to Utah and Ray attended medical school at the University of Utah. While they lived in Salt Lake, Scott and Cathy were born. They settled in Logan when Ray started his pediatric practice. Their family was complete when Todd was born. Lou Ann was immersed in caring for her children, attended all their games and recitals, and drove them to their lessons and practices. She didn’t enjoy cooking, but she planned and cooked family dinners nightly. She didn’t enjoy sewing either, but she made a lot of costumes and dresses over the years. She loved to gather the family and put her all into making birthday and holiday celebrations fun. She was overjoyed when their family was sealed in the Logan Temple. As time passed, she welcomed grandkids with open arms and she took tender care of her aging parents.

She was an avid reader of novels and the morning newspaper, and faithfully did the daily crossword. She was a very loyal and vocal fan of the Aggies. Lou Ann and Ray enjoyed travel. They took the family to Japan and Europe, and on multiple road trips to Canada. After retirement, they travelled extensively. Being part Scottish, she named Scotland as her favorite, but the most visited was Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She said her very favorite place was home.

She spent her last 18 months at The Gables Assisted Living of North Logan, where she was lovingly and expertly cared for.

She is now reunited eternally with her life-long companion Raymond D. Hlavaty, who died in 2014.

She is survived by her four children, Lauri (Brad Sorenson), Scott (Michelle Sampson), Cathy (Ned Hansen), and Todd (Linette Bingham), her 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, her brother Brent Checketts (Sheila Ray), and her nieces and nephews – all of whom she loved with her whole heart.

Funeral services are under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary. Lou Ann’s life will be celebrated with a viewing at the mortuary (34 E. Center St. in Logan) on Sunday, September 25, from 7 to 8 pm and at the Lundstrom Park Chapel, located at 1260 N 1600 E in Logan, on Monday, September 26, with a viewing from 11 to 11:50 am. Funeral services will follow at noon. She will be laid to rest in the Logan Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Family Place, 1525 N 200 W, Logan, UT 84341.