Laura "VeOla" Dudding

Mother Dear we love you so, your happy smiling face, is such a joy to look at, (you made all a lovely place)! Laura “VeOla” Brown Dudding was born to Eva Marie Jacobson and John Charles Brown on December 7th, 1930 in Grantsville, UT. March 10th 2014 she suddenly left this world for her continued journey with her beloved Earl and family. VeOla was a strong and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving her best in whatever she was called upon to do. She was dubbed a Queen for being so faithful in her seminary program and later in life was honored as a great visiting teacher by her ward Relief Society. She was raised on a farm in Grantsville where she learned the value of hard work. The family also had a ranch in Skull Valley. She worked for the Tooele Army Depot raising money for nursing school. She loved to sing and have fun – her family favorites growing up…”You are my Sunshine”; “It’s nice to get up in the morning, but it’s nicer to stay in bed!” When we were moody she always put a smile on our face with “No one likes a frowny face, change it for a smile!…” sung with a little drama behind it! She read bedtime stories to us, something we looked forward to. VeOla had a gift for beautiful whistling and was often called upon to accompany tunes for ward gatherings. She and Earl were involved with the J. Welch choral and the Choral Arts Society. VeOla had a great gift for listening to others who had to take a load off from their chest. She always had a stool by the telephone, which always had a long chord. She had fun with her children, who loved her. As a young single, she spent some time in the Washington DC area while helping her brother, Charl and his wife Kathryn (Kay). Although she was engaged to someone in Utah, she met a city slick who played the organ in the old Washington Ward (where her brother and his wife attended church. He took her on a city tour one Sunday and the rest became (family) history. She and Earl Dudding were married in the Idaho Falls temple August 4th, 1953. VeOla will be known as the “love you” lady, which she said to everyone she came in contact with. And she meant it! VeOla was one of six children. She is survived by three sisters: Una Jean Perkins of St. George, UT; RaeNae Russell of Corvallis, Oregon; Marlene McBride of Millbrae, CA, a sister by marriage, Kathryn Brown of Orem, UT and her four children, Marie Garrabrants and husband Mac of Centerville, UT; David Dudding and his wife Stephanie of Easton, MD; Dorothy Green of Clearfield, UT; and Karen Pedersen of Venice, Florida. She also leaves behind 18 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and hundreds of great friends and extended family. Two siblings, J. Charl Brown; Neva M. Martin, and her eternal companion, Earl B. Dudding preceded VeOla in death.
We wish to express our thanks to the staff at Heritage Place where VeOla has lived for the past many years. You loved our mom and took great care of her, even during the last difficult weeks. Thank you, thank you!
Mom, you are already missed very much. We will look for the day when we will be reunited with you, where we will find you free from all of the physical challenges you had to live with and your happy smiling self again. Love you!
A viewing will be held Friday March 14th from 6:00-8:00 pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary at 295 N. Main, Bountiful, UT. Funeral services will be held at Heritage Place: 1150 S. Main Street, Bountiful, UT at 10:30 am in the chapel downstairs on March 15th, 2014. A short viewing will be held at Heritage Place from 9:30-10:15 am that same day prior to the funeral services. Interment is in Orem. Flowers can be sent to Russon Brothers Mortuary or make a donation to the missionary fund for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.