LaJune Stoddard Rawlins

LaJune Stoddard Rawlins was born on 12 June 1930 in Plano, Idaho. Her oldest sister, Pearl, is credited for giving LaJune her name, after her birth month.
 
She grew up in Plano and Rexburg. After graduating from Edmunds High School and Idaho Business College in Idaho Falls, she moved to California, where she worked as a switchboard operator. She later moved to Ogden, Utah, where her family was living. There, she took a job with the Credit Bureau of Ogden.
 
She served in the Norwegian Misson from January 1959 to December 1960.

She met LaVere W. Rawlins on a blind date arranged by their respective best friends, who were also dating. LaJune and LaVere were married on Friday, September 13, 1963. Despite superstition, the 13th proved a lucky day for them; they had been married for almost 55 years when LaVere passed away on August 12, 2018.
 
The couple raised three boys—Mike, Paul, and Robert—in a little house they remodeled in Ogden. Family and church were the mainstays of LaJune’s life. She taught her boys to read, saw they had swimming lessons, attended countless band concerts and parades, and took pride in their academic and other achievements.

She served in many positions in the Church, including Relief Society president and ward librarian, and provided meals and other thoughtful help to neighbors. One of her favorite callings as she got older was serving in the nursery, where she was another “grandma” to the kids. She also served as an election poll worker for many years.
 
She became a BYU sports fan once her oldest started school there and remained one for the rest of her life, enjoying football, basketball (men’s and women’s), and volleyball on TV. She loved a good who-done-it, in print or on TV.

One of her greatest and most selfless acts of service was the way she cared for LaVere in the last year of his life. For 11 months while he was bedridden, with the help of hospice aides, she looked after LaVere’s needs so he could stay at home.

She waited a long time for grandchildren, but loved each as they were born, and the extended family enjoyed many get-togethers in Ogden, in Lewiston at “Grandpa’s Farm,” and on family vacations. She had a dry sense of humor her daughters-in-law and grandchildren enjoyed as they got to know her.

After 50 years in the little red house on Eccles, LaJune moved to an assisted living center in Bountiful after LaVere died. She enjoyed the community and activities there.
 
She remained devoted to the gospel and to her family all her life. She passed away peacefully on the morning of 2 April 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, her seven siblings and their spouses, her husband, and her youngest son, Robert. She is survived by sons Mike (Jeanne), Paul (Carolynn), daughter-in-law Colette, 8 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, and 1 great-grandson.

A graveside service will be held at noon on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the Lewiston City Cemetery at 1000 E. Center Street in Lewiston, Utah.

The family would like to thank all the staff at The Beaumont who were so kind and looked after her so well.