The following obituaries appeared in the March 6, 2024 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
For more area obituaries, please visit Schwab Mortuary.
For more resources including headstones, please visit the Star Valley Historical Society.
Tara Luthi
Tara Jean (Bain) Luthi passed away peacefully in her sleep with her husband by her side December 19, 2023, at the young age of 42.
Tara was born October 7, 1981, in Billings, Montana to Ruby Kay (Dickey) Bain and Jess Edgar Bain. Tara was the youngest of three, joining her sister Elysia and brother Bryson.
Tara grew up in Rawlins, Wyoming. After her stepfather Raymond Langwell’s retirement, the family moved to Thermopolis, Wyoming.
Years laters, Tara moved to Rock Springs, where she met Dean Luthi. They later moved to Logan, Utah and were united in holy matrimony September 1, 2017. In 2019, they returned to Rock Springs, where they settled into their “forever home.”
Tara loved spending time with friends and family, all animals, drawing, doing nails, baking, as well as music. Her favorite holidays were Halloween and Christmas.
She is survived by mother, Ruby (Bain) Langwell (Jerry Cain); loving husband, Dean Luthi III; daughter, Yazmin Luthi; sister, Elysia Bain, niece, Echo Anderson; special uncle, Mitch Graus; in-laws, Dean Luthi Jr., Kim and Dennis Allsop; grandparents, Juel and Caroline Haderlie; Bruce Allsop; honorary sister, Holly (George) Smith, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
She was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Bryson and Belle (Longwell) Bain; father, Jess “Butch” Bain; uncle, Ron Bain; aunt, Bev (Bain) Sessions; maternal grandmother, Dorothy (Dickey) Graus; brother, Bryson; uncle, Chuck Graus and loving stepfather, Raymond Langwell.
Cremation has taken place, there will be no services at her request.
The family respectfully requests donations in Tara’s memory be made to Dean Luthi, 1556 9th Street #2, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901.
Condolences may be left at www.vasefuneralhomes.com
Melvin Wise
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother died February 24, 2024, at his home in Georgetown, Idaho.
He was raised in Taylor, Utah, by his loving parents, Paul and Louise Wise. He attended school in Weber County, Utah. Melvin graduated from Weber State College, as an elementary teacher and from Brigham Young University a school counselor. He completed post graduate work in special education, school administration and school psychology.
Mevin married Julie Anne Greer on December 28, 1965, in the Logan Temple. They lived in Utah, and Arizona for the first few years of their marriage, including two years teaching school on the White Mountain Apache Reservation.
In response to his lifelong goal, he obtained employment in Wyoming, enjoying the wonders of nature. He remained a resident of Wyoming for the remainder of his life.
Melvin excelled in many roles in education, including teacher, special education educator, and as a school psychologist. After working in education for 43 years, 35 in Wyoming, he retired in 2009.
Melvin served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the Navajo Reservation, learning and teaching other missionaries their very difficult language. He served faithfully in many church callings.
Melvin is survived by his wife, Julie; children: Lisa Shumway (Scott), Mary Grzemski (Anthony), Emily Wise, and Melanie Mitchell (Benjamin); and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, James Wise.
Funeral services will be held on March 12, 2024, at the Georgetown, Idaho meeting house, 124 Stringtown Road. The viewing will be held from 9:00-10:45 at the same location. Interment will be at Thayne Cemetery, Wyoming. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at Schwab Matthews Mortuary.
Larry Raymond
Larry Clayton Raymond, born September 25, 1941, in Smithfield, Utah, peacefully departed this world on February 27, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. The cherished son of Budd Clayton Raymond and Glenna Hyde Raymond, Larry’s enduring legacy is carried forward by his devoted wife, Sherell Ann Raymond, caring brother, W Craig, and seven adoring children: Tehawna, Hal, Lynn, Troy, Andrea, Susan, and Amy.
Larry’s educational and professional pursuits led the family to various locations, the most recent being Star Valley, Wyoming, and Providence, Utah. Graduating with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Geology, Larry’s commitment to knowledge was evident throughout his life.
In his professional journey, Larry contributed his expertise to several companies, such as JR Simplot, Anaconda, Utah Power & Light, Bear Creek Mining, and Chemical Distributors. Later he founded Geostar Consulting, leaving a lasting impact on the field.
Beyond his career, Larry embraced life with passion, finding joy in fishing, hunting, camping, and rockhounding. An avid reader, particularly of religious topics, he enjoyed expanding his knowledge and understanding of the world. In later years, Larry appreciated traveling to support and visit his children and grandchildren.
Larry’s accomplishments reflected the breadth of his interests, encompassing scholarships, choir involvement, and leadership roles in community events. His deep commitment to faith and community was evident through various church callings, including bishop, high counselor, and numerous teaching positions.
A funeral service to celebrate Larry’s life were held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Providence Stake Center, 180 South 485 West, Providence, UT 84332, on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 12 p.m. Prior to the service, a viewing took place from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Larry’s memory will inspire those privileged to know him, and his legacy will endure through the countless lives he touched.
Interment will be in the Millville, Utah Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com.
Evan Brown
Evan Blaine Brown was born in a little, two-room house in BEAUTIFUL Star Valley, Wyoming on September 30, 1927. He was the 10th, and last, child of James Fredrick Brown and Frances Elizabeth Pead. He had a great love for his mom, dad, and siblings. He often spoke about how wonderful it was to be part of a big family.
Blaine attended elementary school in Fairview, and later graduated from Star Valley High School in Afton, Wyoming, where he excelled in football and basketball. After high school, he joined the Navy, where he served in the Pacific Theater at the close of World War II. He was a landing craft pilot on the USS Bottineau, a troop ship.
Blaine met Ruth Nadine Schaerrer, at Star Valley High School and they were married after the war. They raised two boys, Ed, and John, who were two years apart.
Blaine attended Utah State Agricultural College, now called Utah State University, where he studied animal husbandry. He was an excellent horseman and knew how to work cattle. He was hired by the Nate family of Montpelier, Idaho to run their large cattle ranch in Sage Valley, Idaho.
Things were hopping in Southern California after the war. Blaine took his older brother Keith’s advice and soon followed Keith’s path to California, where they worked for Sav-on Drugs, a new self-service pharmacy and sundries chain begun by members of the Call family of Star Valley. He worked for Sav-on for almost 40 years, eventually becoming a general manager of two very productive stores, one in South Gate, California, and the other in Cerritos, California.
Blaine was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Blaine and Ruth were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple. He served in several church positions, including financial clerk, stake clerk, elder’s quorum president, and finally, bishop of the La Habra 2nd Ward. After Blaine retired, he and Ruth served a mission to Hong Kong.
After his mission to Hong Kong, Blaine achieved his lifelong dream of owning a ranch, 322 acres in Auburn, Wyoming. Despite being in his seventies, Blaine thoroughly loved ranching. He loved fencing, building corrals, branding, and rounding up cattle. Blaine kept that ranch ship shape even after he was ninety. Blaine had a few parts that broke and were replaced but, like the Energizer Bunny, he just kept on ticking.
Last year, Blaine was honored with other veterans at the World War II memorial in Washington DC. He was immensely proud of his service and was grateful for this Honor Flight recognition.
He is survived by sons, Ed (Diane) Brown and John (Vicki) Brown, seven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews who considered Blaine as a favorite uncle and many friends in Star Valley, California, Hong Kong, and Draper Utah. Dad was preceded in death by Ruth, his sweetheart of 65 years, his parents, nine siblings, a great grandson, and a great-great grandson.
Funeral Services were held Saturday, March 2, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 1272 East Walden Lane, Draper Utah 84020. A viewing was from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. with the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Fairview Cemetery, Fairview Wyoming. Funeral Services under the direction of Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, UT 84092.
