LuJean Leake

LuJean Mortensen Leake, wife of Robert Lawrence Leake, daughter of Victor Julius and Lula Roskelley Mortensen.  Born March 30, 1929 in Logan, UT.  Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. Graduated from North Cache High School in 1947.  Lived in Smithfield.  Attended Utah State University and received a degree in Elementary Education.  She valiantly served the Lord in the Central Atlantic States Mission, where she grew to love the people of North Carolina.  Upon returning home, she resumed dating a special someone, but went to a mission reunion where she met dad.  His reputation preceded him; he had served in the same mission with much success as well. The two of them joined a clogging group where they danced and enjoyed spending time together.   They were married June 10, 1953 in the Logan, UT temple.  They moved to Provo where dad attended BYU, and mom taught elementary school in Lehi.  They struggled to get babies here, but in the end felt very blessed to have 8 children.  The future brought 19 grandchildren, and 29 great grandchildren.  Our sister Julie, our brother Eric, our brother Dan, and our Dad, preceded her in death, as well as many friends.  Mom was completely dedicated to dad and our family.  She was a stay at home mom, and excelled at homemaking, budgeting, and managing a large family.   Mom made most of our clothes when we were young, and also taught us to sew and make our own clothes.  She made quilts and leper bandages to donate to the LDS Humanitarian Aid.  She enjoyed genealogy work.  She supported dad in various leadership priesthood callings, and made dad shine with all her work behind the scenes.  Mom served faithfully in many church callings: Stake primary, Merry—Miss, VT, camp director, Relief Society, Young Women, and others.  She cared for both of her parents as they aged.

Before they had children, mom and dad chose to participate in the Indian placement program and enjoyed having a Navajo daughter, Clara.  Caring for and loving Clara sparked a lifelong love for Indian History, literature, and art.  She also had a lifelong love for music, she played the piano and clarinet and had us children take piano lessons and taught us to love music. She could also feed a crowd in minutes, and loved doing it.

She also loved camping and nature. Family outings had two components, dad would pack and prepare all the toys and activities, and mom planned how to feed the whole gang. She was aware of what people liked and disliked, and she was skilled at creating delicious meals for everyone to enjoy. Throughout our childhood and younger years, we went to many state and national parks: Duck Creek, Arches, Yellowstone, Jackson, Dead Horse Point, Bryce Canyon, Zions, Tetons, High Uintas, Capitol Reef, Flaming Gorge, Petrified Forrest and Hyrum Lake. During those years, those with summer birthdays would get to celebrate with dutch oven gingerbread, lemon pudding and whipped cream!  Mom loved the mountains, and was willing to embrace a love for Lake Powell and boating after being introduced to Lake Powell around 1975. It then became a family tradition for over two decades.

As empty nesters, she and dad took many trips. They loved going to Hawaii, and also traveled to Vancouver, Europe, American History sites, Alaska, Boston, and others.  The Bullocks, the Marchants, and Brent Black were welcome traveling companions.   In previous years, they loved going to Island Park, with the Island Park Gang.

She had a deep love for her family and especially loved spending time holding little ones. In her later years, the most joy she experienced was while she was holding the newest additions to her family, who were sent directly from heaven.   Our parents diligently taught us the gospel and encouraged each of us to gain a testimony for ourselves. We did “not doubt, our mother knew it.”

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 7, 2019, 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Chapel located at 2925 E. Bengal Blvd. (7800 S).  A visitation will be held Friday, December 6, 2019 at the Cannon Mortuary, 2460 E. Bengal Blvd. (7600 S) from 6-8 p.m. and the day of the service at the church from 10-10:45 a.m.