LaRee Duke Bell

LaRee D. Bell, age 94, passed away in her home in Orem, Utah, on Sunday, August 20, 2023. She was born on January 31, 1929, in Provo, Utah to Leo Duke and Agnes Priscilla (Stevens) Duke. She married Lynn Clyde Bell on November 16, 1949, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. He preceded her in death on August 20, 1991. They happened to pass on the same date, 32 years apart. They made their home in Orem where they raised their four children: three daughters and one son.

LaRee’s childhood home was in Provo, Utah where her father had a successful turkey farm. She was the middle child with one older brother, Russell, and one younger brother, Howard. Growing up on the farm meant she helped out doing various daily chores such as gathering and cleaning the chicken eggs and tending to the garden. At an early age, her mother taught her cross stitching and embroidery, but she soon found out that she had a strong interest and talent in sewing. She enjoyed sewing so much that she made many of her clothes including her own wedding dress. She continued sewing beautiful clothing for her mother and her children for years to come. Eventually, that love of sewing transitioned into making many exceptional quilts with intricate patterns and designs.

LaRee graduated from Provo High School in 1947 and went on to attend BYU. While at BYU, she met her husband-to-be, Lynn C Bell. After high school and before marriage, she worked as a stenographer for a Judge in Provo Juvenile Court and also worked a couple of summers at Yellowstone Fishing Bridge in the Lake Lodge.

LaRee loved being a full-time wife, mother, and homemaker. She was excellent at all of those things. She loved making a variety of crafts and decorations by hand. She was also a very talented artistic oil and watercolor painter. She taught painting for many years at Provo Craft and other shops in Utah County and loved to share her knowledge and talent with others. She became a very popular teacher with many students throughout the area.

LaRee gave her family unconditional love and was committed to the happiness and well-being of her children. She was always upbeat and quick to smile. Her personality was fun, warm, kind and loving throughout her entire life. A comforting constant for all who knew her. She will be missed dearly.

LaRee is survived by her 3 daughters: Marilyn Dunn of Deer Valley, Utah, Diane Finch (J. Alan) of Orem, Utah, Janice Gosalvez (Edgar) of Auburn, California; 9 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Lynn C. Bell, 2 brothers Russell Duke and Howard Duke, son Gary Lynn Bell, and grandson Travis Lynn Gosalvez.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street, Orem, Utah. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the services at the mortuary. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend in person, you may view the Services HERE