Leah Rae Brinkerhoff Deem

Bicknell, Utah - Leah Rae Brinkerhoff Deem, age 65, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2015 at her home in Bicknell from a heart attack. She was born March 3, 1950 in Salina, Utah, a daughter of Walter Kirk and Cleo Ellett Giles Brinkerhoff. Mom grew up in Bicknell, UT and graduated from Wayne High School, Class of 1968. Growing up you could always find her with her daddy, no matter where he was Mom wasn’t too far behind, whether it was out in his garage working on cars or just outside feeding the animals. She never liked to get dirty, but would always be with him. She gained her love of the gospel and learned how to keep house and cook very well from her mother. Mom attended Excelsis Beauty College in Salt Lake City for two years, then moved back to Bicknell after graduation. She later found employment in Las Vegas, NV at Vegas Village while she lived with her brother Emil and his wife Lois Brinkerhoff. She met the love of her life, Laren J.“Larry” Deem, and they were married August 25,1973 in the Thurber LDS Ward in Bicknell. Dad always said she was the most beautiful bride that ever walked down the aisle. Their marriage was solemnized August 25, 1990, in the Manti Utah LDS Temple. They continued their lives in Las Vegas where their first five children were born. In March1984 the family moved to Bicknell, where two more children were born and they built the rest of their lives. In the following years she gained four sons-in-law and two daughters-in-law and 19 grandchildren. Being a member of the LDS church she, was a woman of great faith. Mom was always a “ladies lady” and very classy. She was the happiest when she had her grandchildren in her arms or on her lap. Leah Rae is survived by her husband of Bicknell; children: Randi Rae Deem of Richfield; Amy Jo and Tony Jackson of Bicknell; Shelly C. and Jared Lund of New Harmony; Justin Kirk and Tara Deem of Norman, Oklahoma; Laraine and Cordell Anderson of Tridell; Beth Ann Rumsey of Torrey; Steven John and Brittiny Deem of Redmond; 19 grandchildren; step-children: Michael and Joyce Deem, Jeffery (Deceased) and Ruth Deem, all of Meridian, Idaho; Bryan and Mary Ann Deem of Salt Lake City; Susan and Ed Betts of Bullhead City, Arizona; Bryce and Lisa Deem, Connie Deem, all of Las Vegas, Nevada; 10 step-grandchildren and 19 step-great-grandchildren; brother and sisters: Emil W. and Lois Brinkerhoff of Bicknell; Ada Ann and Jim Jensen of Centerville; Patsy Bell and Keith Hampton of Redmond; LaDawn Brinkerhoff of Herriman; Lila Ann and Manny Robinson of Surprise, Arizona. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Leeon Kirk Brinkerhoff, Morris Henry and Jacqueline Dahle Brinerhoff. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. in the Thurber LDS Ward Chapel. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home in Richfield, Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or at the ward chapel in Bicknell, Saturday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Bicknell Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.