Mary “LaRue” Mikkelsen Petty October 30, 1933 - July 21, 2020

Mary LaRue Mikkelsen Petty took her next step in her Loving Father in Heaven’s eternal plan as she passed away July 21, 2020. She was born in her Grandmother Mikkelsen’s bedroom October 30, 1933 to Elmer Aagard and Mary Peel Mikkelsen in Fountain Green, Utah. She attended Fountain Green Elementary and Junior High Schools and graduated from Moroni High School. Her favorite subject was English.

Following graduation, she went to Salt Lake City where her first employment was with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where she worked in the Membership Department. She had the opportunity of seeing Prophet and President David O. McKay and other LDS general authorities regularly. She left there and went to Beneficial Life Insurance where she had the opportunity to learn to operate IBM Business Machines. 

LaRue was married to Horace A. Petty on August 26, 1955 in the Salt Lake Temple. They had 5 beautiful children and were later divorced. After the divorce she moved the children to Spanish Fork and built their new life there. She held positions at Spanish Fork High School, Zions Bank, Eyring Research, and Provo City. She made many lifelong friends during her career. 

Her love for the Lord and her testimony radiated in everything she did. She found strength in reading the scriptures and attending the temple. She held many church callings and was a strong influence and example to her family and those around her. One of her favorite callings was being on the committee for the Single Adult Program. She loved organizing events and attending the dances. She also treasured opportunities to dance with her grandchildren at special events. 

LaRue loved and lived for her family. Anytime she met someone new or was anywhere visiting with someone she loved telling them about what she considered her greatest accomplishment in life, her legacy of 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren. She valued celebrating her family’s birthdays and special occasions by sending cards to each of them every year. 

She loved gardening and loved her rose bushes and tulips. She loved making a home for her family and always wanted you there. She always said “come early and stay late”. She was gifted with many talents such as sewing, cooking, painting, and needle work. 

LaRue is survived by her four daughters: Mary (Allen) Mathis, South Jordan, Susan (Rex) Hicks, West Jordan, Karen (Jonathan) Zeiner, Torrington, CT and Lisa Petty Taylor, Salem; brothers, John (Betty Jean) Mikkelsen, Fountain Green, Glenn (Leola) Mikkelsen, Wood Cross, Shonnie Smock, Richmond, and sister, Ruth Mikkelsen, Salt Lake City; 14 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Kenneth (Yvonne) Petty; great grandchildren, Rylan Petty and Brooklyn Sorensen; brothers, Andrew (Anita) Mikkelsen. 

Funeral services will be held at Walker Mortuary at 187 South Main in Spanish Fork on Saturday, July 25, 2020. Viewing at 1:00pm – 2:15pm and Funeral Service at 2:30pm – 3:30pm. 

Interment will be at the Salem City Cemetery at 965 South 140 East, Salem, UT on Monday, July 27, 2020 at 11:00am. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Legacy House in Spanish Fork for the love and care that they have given during her time there. They helped make it home for her. 

For those unable to attend the service it will be streamed live and filed for future viewing on the Walker Mortuary website. You will be able to watch this by clicking on her obituary.