(May 5, 1922 – February 9, 2015)
Rada Laura Craner Matthews passed away peacefully on February 9, 2015, in St. George, Utah, where she had been living since November 2014. She was born on May 5, 1922, in Pella, Idaho, near Burley. She was the seventh of nine children born to John Thomas and Sarah Wells Craner.
Rada grew up working with her parents and siblings on a farm. She met Howard Matthews at a church dance and they were married in November 1940 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
While living in Burley, Idaho, Howard was drafted to serve in World War II. Rada cared for their son, Larry, while Howard served in France. A second son, Kent, was born in 1949. After the war, the family lived in Idaho, then Alaska and then Washington D.C. where Howard worked for the U.S. Office of Education. During these years, Rada raised their two sons and worked as a medical secretary.
Upon Howard’s retirement, they moved to Bountiful, Utah where they enjoyed traveling and spending time with family. Together Rada and Howard worked in the Washington D.C., Salt Lake City and Bountiful LDS Temples. Throughout her life, Rada served others through her many callings in the LDS Church.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and a good neighbor. She loved sending cards to friends and family and keeping a beautiful home and garden. She will be greatly missed.
Rada is survived by her sons: Larry (Alayne) of St. George and Kent (Kristine) of Salt Lake City; brother, Max Craner of Rexburg, Idaho; and beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Utah, Idaho, Ohio, Nevada and Connecticut. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard A. Matthews and grandson, Michael Matthews.
Funeral Services
- Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 25, at noon at the Bountiful Hills LDS Ward Chapel, 1900 Bountiful Hills Drive, Bountiful, Utah.
- A visitation will be held Wednesday, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. prior to services at the Chapel.
- Interment will be in the Bountiful City Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit the Metcalf Mortuary website.
The family requests that all floral arrangements be sent through Arvin Flowers and Gifts, 801-298-3228.
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