Leo N Stratton

Leo was born on February 15, 1924 to Reuben Lang and Beulah Schmutz Stratton in St. George, Utah. He spent his youth in St. George until he was called to serve in the US Navy from 1943 to 1945. He then served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1947 to 1949 in the Northwestern States Mission. His mission served as an anchor in his life and provided many memories to which he often referred. Toward the end of his mission, his Mission President encouraged him to write to a young lady in Salt Lake City, who had just lost her mother. He wrote and then dated her when he returned home. They fell in love and he married LaVon (Bonnie) Bateman on Feb 24, 1950 in the Salt Lake Temple. Their marriage has been a model of love, fidelity and service to others. Despite working hard to support their family, they always took time for each other. Their acts of kindness and homemade gifts brightened many lives, especially at Christmas. Leo and Bonnie lived their married life in Salt Lake and Midvale. Leo moved to California in 2008, following her death in 2005.

Leo worked 35 years for Chicago Bridge and Iron. He taught his children to work by allowing them to help with their rental apartments, which he built early in their marriage. He served in the Church as a member of several bishoprics, clerk and a faithful home teacher.

He is preceded in death by his wife and his brothers Oliver and Rex. He is survived by their three children Scott, Shane and Heidi, five grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and by his other siblings Irene (Virta), Beulah (Sprague), Wilford and Clorinda (Castaneda).

A Memorial Service will be held in his honor at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary on Monday, February 16, 2015 at 11 am. A viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:45 am that morning, and graveside services will follow the memorial. The address of the mortuary is 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106.