Lela Moss Bangerter

Lela Moss Bangerter, aged 97 years, passed away peacefully on 21 December 2024. She was born on 9 May 1927 in Clearfield, Utah, the fifth child of Lucile Schofield and Lee Roy Moss. Her father died from kidney failure 3 months before her birth. She was raised in Syracuse, Utah and attended public schools. She graduated from Davis High School in 1945. It was at Davis High School that she met her future husband, Joseph Franklin Bangerter of Bountiful. 

Lela and Frank were married on 22 May 1946 in the Salt Lake Temple, shortly after Frank returned from World War II fighting in the Pacific Theater. They made their home in Bountiful where Frank worked in the family produce and trucking business. They were the parents of six wonderful children: Susan (David Bennion), Jeanette (Martin Evans), Marilou (Douglas Bankhead), Sharon (Michael Wyatt), Bradley Frank (Anissa), and Paula (Troy Vealey). Frank passed away on 24 August 2008.

During World War II, while Frank was serving in the Pacific, Lela worked as a secretary/typist in the War Department at Hill Air Force Base.

Lela’s life was one of service to her family, neighbors, and church. A long-time member of the Bountiful 7th Ward, she served as Primary President, MIA President, Relief Society President and a member of the Stake Young Women’s Presidency. With her husband, Frank, she organized Family Home Evenings for the senior members of her ward as well as watching over and caring for these seniors.

Lela was a profound example of compassion and love as she cared for her aged mother in her home during the last 5 years of her mother’s life. She provided similar loving care to Frank during his last years as his physical and mental health declined from Parkinson’s disease. This Christ-like care stands as an example to and will always be remembered by her children and grandchildren who witnessed it.

Lela’s beautiful personality and expressions of love will be missed by her family and all who knew her. She leaves behind a large posterity: 6 children and their spouses, 24 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, and numerous great-great-grandchildren with more to come. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and husband.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, 27 December 2024 at Russon Mortuary in Bountiful, Utah (295 No. Main Street). There will be a viewing on Thursday, 26 December 2024 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Mortuary, and a viewing will precede the funeral beginning at 8:45 a.m. Burial will be in the Bountiful City Cemetery next to her loving husband.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Utah.