LaRue Kinder Taylor, age 94, passed away December 13, 2021, at her home in Spanish Fork, Utah. She was born February 1, 1927, a daughter of Frank and Lucille Allen Kinder, in Huntington, Emery County, Utah. She was the middle child, having five brothers and three sisters.

She had a fun childhood, except for the time when she was two years old, and suffered a bout with pneumonia. She had to have a drain inserted to take the fluid off her lungs and help her breathe. It had to be left in place for so long that her flesh grew around it, and it had to be surgically removed.  After that, she was unstoppable.  The neighborhood kids spent much time at the Kinder home, playing street games under the streetlight, with LaRue and her siblings. They’d often have a bonfire and roast weiners and potatoes – she loved recalling those fun days!  She loved celebrating her birthdays. Her mom always made a big fuss over holidays and birthdays, and she always had her favorite birthday cake.  LaRue participated in 4-H, raising steers for the stock shows. One year, she brought her prize steer to the Spanish Fork Livestock Show, which was the only time she came to Spanish Fork, until she moved there, later in life.  She really enjoyed her teen years camping with her church young women and 4-H groups every summer.

LaRue attended North Emery High School, where she was a cheerleader, graduating in 1945. Following graduation, she moved to the big city (Salt Lake City, Utah) to attend business school. She changed her mind after arriving there and went to work the very next day at a Safeway grocery store. In early 1947, she decided to go to California with a friend. She gave notice to her employer, and a good-looking young man, Lloyd Taylor, was hired to replace her.  Before she left, she worked for about two weeks with that young man, dated him a couple of times, and then she was off to California.  About six months later, LaRue returned to Utah, and went to work in the same store again.  Unfortunately, the handsome young man had been transferred to another store in the city.  As fate would have it, they met up again and began dating.  They had talked about getting married in June, but when they went to a Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance, decided there was no need to wait.  So that young man, Lloyd Taylor, said that if they were married on his birthday, he knew he would never forget an anniversary!  After the dance, they took off for Ely, Nevada, and were married February 15, 1948. They returned to Salt Lake City, where they both continued to work for Safeway Stores.

She and Lloyd became the parents of three children, all born in Salt Lake City: Diana, Rodney, and Lisa. LaRue worked part time while her children were young. They bought a home in Salt Lake City, living there six years.  Then, Lloyd learned of an opening for an assistant manager at a grocery store in Spanish Fork. He got the job at IGA Foodliner and the family moved to Spanish Fork in 1960. Eventually, Lloyd and LaRue bought the IGA Foodliner and worked there together for many years. They sold the store in 1972.

LaRue loved spending time with her family. She and Lloyd taught their children how to snow ski and water ski, among other recreation ventures.  When the family went water-skiing, there were always a few neighbor kids along.

After Lloyd and LaRue sold the Foodliner, LaRue worked at Nebo School District Office for many years, and additionally worked with Lloyd in his real estate business.  She was active in civic organizations, including the Jaycee’s, Chamber of Commerce, and Rotary. She served in many PTA organizations and with the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. She took up golfing and it became an enjoyable activity for her. She served in many leadership positions with the Spanish Oaks Ladies Golf Association, and Alpine Country Club Ladies Golf Association, where she made many good, long-lasting friends.

As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LaRue served faithfully in the Primary and Young Womens, and as a ward librarian, as well as teaching Sunday School classes.

LaRue is survived by her children: Diana (Duane) Dietrick of Sandy, Utah; Rodney (Charlyn) Taylor of Mapleton, Utah; and Lisa (Brad) Moon of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; as well as 15 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; and two grandchildren: Amy Norr and Senea Brinkerhoff.

The family would like to thank Aspen Ridge Home Health and Hospice, especially Andrea, Cheyanne and Gracie for their loving care of our mom.

Viewings and funeral services will be at the First Ward LDS Church, 310 East Center Street, Spanish Fork, Utah 84660.  There will a viewing Thursday evening, December 16, 2021, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the church; and another viewing will be at the church, Friday, December 17, from 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. prior to the funeral, which will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel.   Interment will be at Spanish Fork City Cemetery.