On September 9th, 2025, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, and friend, Louise Draper, departed this mortal life. Neil came to pick up his eternal companion, Louise Smith Draper, for the date they had planned for 74 years ago. She was 94 years old.
Louise was born April 17, 1931, in Heber City, Utah, to Sylvan and LuVera Smith. She was born into a loving family consisting of an older sister, LaVetta, who passed away at birth, her older brother Ray, and baby sister Sandra who she loved more than anything. Louise was a Daddy’s girl and loved going with him as he tended to his business as a butcher.
In High School, Louise caught the eye of this very shy boy Neil Draper. She would never say it was love at 1st sight, but pretty darn close. They dated all through high school, graduating from Wasatch High together in 1949. On February 7th, 1951, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple by future church president Spencer W. Kimball.
The newly married Drapers started a family shortly after. Kent Neil was born 9 months after their marriage, and no baby was loved more than Kent. Three short years later, Peggy Ann became her daddy’s princess and mom’s helper. Three years after Peggy, hurricane Susan landed with all the force she could muster.. After Susan came Chris, with all the charm the Lord could give to a red-haired, freckle-faced boy. Scott rounded out the family, and was fought over by his 4 older siblings constantly. Their love and closeness made the Draper Family feel like the richest in the neighborhood.
Louise was a stickler about family time. She insisted on the family eating dinner together every night. Between the business and children's activities, dinner time was often at 9:00, but always together. She wore many hats as the CEO of her home, all while serving her neighborhood as the on-call taxi driver for appointments, emergencies, and everyday errands– a title she carried with her until the day she stopped driving.
Of all the titles she was given, the one she loved the most was Grandma. With the birth of each of her 20 grandchildren (19 biological + Lance Gorman, who she loved like a grandson) her heart grew bigger. Her cup ran over when she became a great-grandma or G.G., as she preferred to be called. Remembering who every child belonged to was sometimes hard, but her love for each one of them shone brightly every time they came to play in G.G.’s toybox. On July 24th, 2025, she became a great great-great-grandmother, a perfect gift for the woman swelling with pride over her pioneer heritage.
When Scott started 1st grade, Louise decided to go back to work and was hired by McDonald's. After 31 years, countless Egg McMuffins and Big Macs, and collecting nearly every single Happy Meal toy released, she decided to hang up her apron and enjoy her retirement.
Louise had a strong testimony of her Savior Jesus Christ. She faithfully served him no matter how far outside of her comfort zone it was. She loved the sisters in Relief Society, whom she served as president three times in three different wards in the same stake. She adored serving the young women, and getting to watch the girls grow into strong women. Most of all, she loved the time she got to spend serving with her sweetheart, Neil, teaching the primary children. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers for 50 years, serving in various callings. Her legacy of service extends far beyond any calling, always being the first to tend to the sick or to mourn with the mourning.
Lousie is survived by her children, Kent (Teresa) Draper, Susan (Boyd) Marshall, Afton Draper, and Scott (Jolene) Draper. Many nieces and nephews (especially The Cooley kids, she loved you like her own), 20 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.
Preceded in death by Her Sweetheart Neil, Daughter Peggy Ann Klenk Barr, Son Chris Sylvin Draper, Grandson John Draper, Brother Ray Smith, and her baby sister Sandra Cooley who she loved more than anything.
The family would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Cascade Hospice. Bryce, we can’t thank you enough for being there for every request and to soothe our panic moments. And Kylee, thank you for being such a bubbly part of her day. To her special angel and friend, Daisy Chadee, who checked on her often and always made sure she had food to eat.
Funeral services will be held on September 15, 2025, at 11:00 am at the LDS chapel located at 304 East 2700 South. A viewing will be held on Sunday, September 14th from 6-8 and from 10-10:45 before the funeral. The services will be zoomed for those who won’t be able to attend https://zoom.us/j/99745079652?pwd=PtPSq1ncwbMpY3cyTaxYiIpdiJKChW.1 Meeting ID: 997 4507 9652 Passcode: 000881
