Charlene Colvin Montague, 78, of Spanish Fork, Utah, passed away peacefully at Legacy House of Spanish Fork on December 30, 2025, due to complications related to her battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on August 20, 1947, to Chone Eugene “Gene” Colvin and Charlotte Ruth Nielsen in Payson, Utah.
As a young girl, Charlene and her parents lived in Oregon for a year, then returned to Payson, Utah, where Charlene finished growing up. She was part of the Payson Pep Club and Future Homemakers of America (FHA) during her senior year at Payson Senior High School in Payson, Utah, and graduated in 1965. Charlene attended college for one year at Utah State University in Logan, Utah.
Charlene was sealed to Richard Draper of Genola, Utah, in the Manti Utah Temple in 1966. They had three children together and were later divorced. She married Gary Montague of Payson, Utah, in 1983; they were later divorced.
Charlene retired from the Nebo School District after more than 30 years of service. She started at the Payson High School cafeteria as a lunch lady and created and managed the school’s first salad bar. She later worked on the janitorial staff at Spanish Fork Junior High. In the summers, she worked as a cook at Daley Freez in Payson, Utah.
Charlene enjoyed sewing, making many cute outfits for her girls when they were young. She also loved to crochet and would make baby blankets to give as gifts for family and friends. She loved puzzles of all kinds -jigsaw, crossword, and search-a-word. She was a member of a bowling league at Duke’s Lanes in Spanish Fork for many years, serving as the league secretary and traveling to state tournaments. An eclectic music lover, Charlene loved to sing along to her music and share it with her kids and grandkids. She was also known for her clever way with words, often making up her own “little diddies” and writing the most amusing poetic verses. Charlene encouraged her daughters to do well in school and was proud of all of their successes.
Charlene is survived by her daughters, Laura (Jason) Bennert of California, Danielle (Jeffrey A.) Conroy of Colorado, and Kristin Turner of Wyoming, as well as eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Julie Stevens of Spanish Fork, Utah, and Cindy (Lynn) Clark of Salem, Utah. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 1 pm at Walker Funeral Home, located at 587 South 100 West in Payson, Utah. Visitation will be prior from 11:45 am to 12:45 pm at the funeral home. Interment will be in Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah.
We would like to thank the staff at Legacy House of Spanish Fork, Olena Davis of Right at Home, Holly Carter, FNP, and Renew Home Health & Hospice for providing such wonderful care to our mother over the last several years. The family also extends their love and gratitude to Charlene’s neighbors, who gave her such wonderful friendship, unconditional love, and many acts of service over the years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation in Charlene’s honor be made to a charity of your choice, such as the Nebo School District Child Nutrition Office, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the American Lung Association.
3 Condolences for Charlene Colvin Montague
Condolences(3)
Melissa, Jon, and Maisy Brydon says
January 2, 2026 at 5:28 pmDanielle and Family,
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. What a lovely obituary…it truly tells the story of your mom’s life. Our thoughts, hugs, and prayers are with you
Karie Daley Jackson says
January 3, 2026 at 2:18 pmCharlene and I were childhood friends. Our parents were friends and we are related. I remember the fun times we had as young girls and teenagers. Over the years we lost track of each other. Seeing her obituary brought back many memories of our young years growing up in Payson. I send my sympathy to her family and her sisters who I fondly remember. God bless you.
David Huff says
January 4, 2026 at 5:53 amI am sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with your mother at the junior high. She was always upbeat and kind to everyone.