LaRae Fietkau Crandall

LaRae Fietkau Crandall passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, September 5, 2025. She was born to Bessie Horrocks Fietkau and Reed Fietkau on November 29, 1934 in Arcadia, Duchesne County, Utah. She married Robert Willby Crandall in the Salt Lake Temple on June 25, 1957. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on June 25, 2025.

LaRae was blessed to possess pure blonde hair which remained with her her entire life! Her father worked in construction most of his life and the family made many moves. In 1941 when they lived in Duchesne, Utah, Reed was transferred and chose to live in Springville, Utah. Springville provided them with indoor running culinary water, electrical fixtures, and water fed toilets ... for their very first time! They rented a home owned by Alma Wheeler, a Springville mortician.

She attended schools in Springville and graduated from Springville High School in May of 1953, with Robert. They had met in 2nd or 3rd Grade LaRae associated with a group of girls her age. They remain great friends to this day and have met for Christmas parties every year. Only three of this group are living at this time.

In 1960 Robert graduated from BYU and they took their first-born child, Roxane, and moved to Covina, California, for his employment. Three years later, Robert changed jobs and they moved to Hawthorne, California. In 1964 they moved back to Springville and Robert went to work for Strong Company, a construction company Later Robert went to work for BYU until he retired.

LaRae started working at the U.S. Steel Geneva Works Typing Pool to help support him to gain an education at BYU. She left Geneva when she was Secretary to the Controller to give birth to Roxane. She did odd jobs until John and Julie joined our family. With all of our children in school, she felt the need to help so she went to work for the W.W. Clyde Company at their head office in Springville. At age 62, LaRae felt the need to retire, and did so.

LaRae was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age eight and remained active until her passing. She with her husband served Church missions in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the Family History Center in Salt Lake City and as ordinance workers in the Provo Temple. She also served as Ward Relief Society President and many other callings in The Church.

LaRae is survived by her husband, Robert; their children, Roxane C. (Steven) Smith, John (Caryn) Crandall and Julie (David) Spencer. Also, her brother Ben (Mary Ann) Fietkau and a sister Kathy (Jon) Winget.

An evening viewing for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Wheeler & Sundberg Funeral Homes, 211 East 200 South, Springville, Utah 84663.

A morning viewing for family and friends will be held Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel located at 860 East 200 North, Springville, Utah 84663.

The funeral service will also be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025 starting at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel located at 860 East 200 North, Springville, Utah 84663

Burial will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery

We’d like to express our thanks to Aspen Ridge Hospice Care specifically Melissa and Alissa for their kind care of mom.