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LaRae Palmer Bradford Obituary

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LaRae Palmer Bradford

Blanding, UT

August 27, 1931 - December 3, 2019

LaRae Palmer Bradford Obituary

LaRae Palmer Bradford, 88, a very beautiful, talented and loving woman, died surrounded by her family on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. She was born in Blanding, Utah on Thursday, August 27, 1931 to Oren Kenneth and Marba Helquist Palmer. She was the oldest of six children. She grew up on a farm helping the family care for the animals, growing gardens, weeding the crops and helping her mother in their home. She dearly loved her parents. After graduation from High School she married the love of her life, Kay Bradford, on June 26, 1949. Her first four children were born in Monticello, Utah. In 1958, the family relocated to East Ely, Nevada, where Kay accepted a job with Kennecott Copper. While there her last son was born. Three years later the family transferred to the Utah Division where Kay began working in truck haulage and maintenance. While relocating in June 1961, the children were taken to Blanding to be cared for by their grandparents. It was during this difficult time that her oldest daughter, Audree, was killed in a jeep wreck. The family lived in Midvale and Murray, Utah until 1991 when Kay began working for his son-in-law at AMAX Gold in Susanville, California. LaRae very much enjoyed living there. In 1963, LaRae began college at the BYU Extension at night while raising her family. Her goal was nursing, the same career as her beloved Grandma Palmer, who was a mid-wife and delivered over 500 babies in Blanding. Due to the heavy responsibility of raising a family and doing church work, she quit school during her Sophomore year. She went back to school a few years later at Utah Technical College completing the Surgical Technician course. Because she could not get regular full-time work at the hospital, she began working at the U.S. Post Office Main Office. In 1991, she retired due to their move to Susanville, California. A few years later, she and Kay returned to Blanding to help care for LaRae’s aging parents. She loved all her jobs and worked endlessly to be the absolute best at what she did. She believed in education. She taught her children good grammar and work ethics. LaRae loved her family. She was an excellent homemaker, cook, seamstress and a perfectionist at everything she attempted. Her favorite thing, especially during the holidays, was making honey candy, which she shared with all her grandchildren, family members and neighbors. She enjoyed preparing large dinners for her family. She was a person who enjoyed giving service to others. LaRae suffered a broken neck, a broken hip, a heart attack and several falls in her last few years. She never complained of pain. She took each trial as it came, believing she was learning something new to improve herself. She was a voracious reader. After her retirement, she read hundreds of books. She studied the Gospel and Book of Mormon. She would often discuss doctrine with her children. LaRae held many positions in the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints and loved her Savior. She is survived by her children, Joyce, Monticello; Kenneth (Tammy), West Jordan; Vance (Paula), Orem; and David (Diane), Blanding; 15 grandchildren and 49 great grandchildren; her sister, Melba Gilliland (Cortez, CO); her brothers-in law, Cleal (Kay) Bradford and Edwin Hawkins, Blanding. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Sylvester K Bradford; daughter, Audree Bradford; and grandson, Gordon Lynn Hyde II; her parents and siblings, Clyda Bleak, Vee Palmer, Bruce Palmer, and Sterling Palmer. LaRae’s funeral will be Monday, December 9, 2019. A family greeting will be held from 9:00-10:30 a.m., with the funeral beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the Blanding Stake Center, 88 W 800 N. Funeral arrangements have been made with San Juan Mortuary. Burial at the Blanding City Cemetery.

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