LaRae McManama

Hulda LaRae Bowers McManama, 94, was born to Isaiah Mern Bowers and Moleta Barnhurst Bowers on February 28, 1931, in Hatch, Utah. LaRae passed away in her home, surrounded by her loving family on September 30, 2025.

LaRae attended school in Hatch, Orderville, Provo and Salt Lake. She graduated from South High School in 1948, at the age of 17. She was a life- long learner who began taking classes at Weber State University in her 80’s.

LaRae married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Alan McManama in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 14th, 1949. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. They have eight children (four born to them and four “bonus” married in children), thirty-eight grandchildren (nineteen grandchildren, and nineteen “bonus” grandchildren). They have sixty-one great grandchildren (fifty-five plus six “bonus”), and four great-great-grandchildren.

LaRae loved her entire family and truly adopted all into her family circle. They were the most important things to her. She taught them to love and serve each other and their fellow man, leaving a legacy that will continue for generations. The McManama family motto was and always will be ‘Love At Home’.

LaRae loved Jesus and His Gospel and was a willing servant in His Church, holding several positions including Ward Relief Society President and Stake Family History Consultant. She was especially fond of genealogy. She dedicated many hours of her time and worked with Bob and other friends and family members to compile four large volumes of collections of personal and family histories and family group sheets. She recorded many interviews with family members that were later transcribed and published.

LaRae was a talented artist. She excelled in oil, watercolor and tole painting. She created watercolor illustrations for her husband’s Golf and Other Stuff poetry book, and made a scrapbook for each of her grandchildren. She was a marvelous seamstress and made most of her children’s clothing. She loved to garden and took great pride in her yard. LaRae loved to care for the planet and was an avid re-cycler long before recycling was common. From her pioneer roots, and as a child of the Depression she believed strongly in making do with what she had. Her love of cooking led to the study of nutrition, and she passed that knowledge on to her children.

LaRae is survived by her children, Dr. Craig (Karla) McManama, Bobi (Reed) Christensen, Dr. Kare (Thom) McManama-Kearin, and Mary Jo (Von) Murphy. Her grandchildren: Cassandra (Patrick), Sarah Jean (Dustin), Joseph (Alexis), Megan (Jared), Amy (Chris), Heidi (Brent), Mandy (Justin), Rachael (Dustin), Joe (Natalee), Meisha (Kevin), Chuck (Anitha), Ivan (Ashley), Bob (Priscilla), Mariah Alaide (D.J.), Isaiah (Lexi), Aubrey (Matthew), Shaylee (Nick), Kaytlyn (Peter) and Hannah (Jarlin). She is also survived by her loving nieces, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by: her eternal sweetheart - Bob, her father - Isaiah and mother - Moleta, her brother - Isaiah Mern Bowers Jr and sister-in-law -Mary Oliver, her sister - Janis Mariah Wetzel, her niece – Kathleen Bowers Everett, her father-in-law – Joseph Augustine McManama, her mother-in-law – Mildred Bessie Wycoff McManama O’Brien, her brother-in-law – John (Jack) Wycoff McManama and sister-in-law – Marilyn Webster McManama.

Services for LaRae will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM in the Crystal Height 2nd Ward House, 1970 E. Stratford Ave (2560 South), Salt Lake City, Utah. There will be a viewing prior to the service from 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM at the church. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah.