La Ree West Alleman

A Life of Excellence

La Ree West Alleman—devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother—passed away, surrounded by her family at the age of 95 on July 10, 2015, in SLC, Utah.  The first of three children, she was born on September 21, 1919, in SLC, Utah, to Lilly Leone Wright and Bertram Benjamin West.  She graduated from Springville High School. Married Grant Edward Alleman on September 14, 1939, in the SLC Temple.  She was president of the Federated Cultural Arts Club, Springville, UT. After working together to enable Grant to graduate from BYU, they settled in SLC and had four children.  As a diligent and devoted member of the LDS Church, La Ree served as YW President in both the Jordan Park Ward and Cannon Stake for almost 8 years. She was also called to direct the Brighton Girls Home.  She served as President of a pilot Tri-Stake YW program for the General Board, and also assisted the Board with Conferences and Special Interest groups for 3 years.  She worked as a school clerk for Newman Elementary and East High School until they moved their family to Inglewood, CA, in the early 60's where La Ree worked for 20 years at Clark Drugs as the office manager.  In the Inglewood Stake, she served as YW President and teacher in Relief Society.  When Grant retired they returned to SLC and settled in the Kenwood 2nd ward. They established life-long friends wherever they went.  Grant and La Ree served a proselyting mission to the Oregon, Portland Mission where they supported the Senior Missionaries; established a center for Vietnamese refugees to learn English; and shared the Gospel with many families.  When Grant passed in 1985, La Ree dedicated her time to family and temple work.  She also traveled with friends throughout the US and Europe; she was dedicated to family history and kept detailed journal accounts.  She served in the Jordan River Temple for 6 years and graduated from the U of U LDS Institute. She used her knowledge of the Gospel as a Gospel Doctrine and a Relief Society instructor; people sought her advice and wisdom.  La Ree was truly an Elect Lady.

La Ree was preceded in death by her husband Grant, brother Kenneth West and brother-in-law Jim Latham. She is survived and dearly loved by her brother Roger (Allene) West, her sister Carolyn Latham, sister-in-law Betty Lou West, daughter Nadine (Gary) Riddle, son Calvin (Ilene) Alleman, son Glen (Nancy) Alleman and son Gary (Gillian) Alleman.  Her legacy includes 21 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Grandview 3rd Ward, 2930 South 2000 East.  A viewing will be held on Friday, July 17, 2015 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East and on Saturday morning at the church from 9:30 am to 10:30 am prior to services.  Interment:  Mapleton, Evergreen Cemetery at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to www.ldsphilanthropies.org/perpetual-education-fund.