La Rue Lytle Walker

La Rue Lytle Walker, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father on June 3, 2023. La Rue was born July 15, 1930 in St. George, Utah to Edith and Roy Lytle. Growing up on a Nevada cattle ranch in the middle of two brothers, La Rue learned to be tough and resourceful, but she was also compassionate and kind. A true Rodeo Queen, she loved riding horses and hiking and exploring the desert around the ranch. Lionell Walker courted LaRue during her years at Lincoln County High School and they became engaged at Christmas in 1947. 

They were married May 28, 1948, in La Rue’s home in Eagle Valley, Nevada. They were later sealed in the St. George Temple on January 2, 1952. La Rue and Lionell moved from Nevada to Mount Vernon, Washington in 1956 to pursue a job opportunity and made the Pacific Northwest their home where they raised their four children and served in many important capacities in the community and for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. La Rue and Lionell fulfilled a faithful LDS Mission to the Philippines from 1986 to 1987 where they continued to impact the lives of all those they met. La Rue was known for her “loves” and never met a person who didn’t become a cherished friend. Her kitchen, home and heart were open to all. Through the years, Lionell and La Rue loved to travel and see the world as well as returning to their Nevada desert home each year for family trips.

A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, La Rue served at her husband’s side in sharing the gospel and fellowshipping many friends in the Skagit Valley, Washington area. After more than 50 happy years together, La Rue nursed Lionell through a battle with cancer and grieved at his passing in 1999. La Rue then moved to Harrisville, Utah and married a high school friend, Alton VanAusdal, in 2000 where they shared 13 years of loving companionship before he passed away. In the years that followed, La Rue devoted time to family and friends and always shared how blessed she felt in her life. She constantly expressed gratitude to those who served her in her final years. 

La Rue is survived by her four children and their spouses, Michael (Karen) Walker of Virginia, Steve (Kathryn) Walker of St. George, UT, Taunya (Dave) Brooks of Pleasant View, UT, and Julie Walker of Cedar City, UT, who, along with her dog Rubble, lived with LaRue and took tender care of her the past seven years. La Rue’s loving example will continue to inspire her 13 grandchildren, their spouses, and 45 great-grandchildren.

The family especially thanks Dr. Lisa Miconi-Correa and Bishop Gordon Nielsen for their long-time care and is also grateful for the recent hospice nursing care provided by Andrea, Deana, and Victoria.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 9, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Harrisville 6th Ward LDS Chapel, 113 Childs Avenue, Ogden, Utah. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment and dedication of the grave, Saturday at 1 p.m. at Lytle family cemetery in Eagle Valley, Nevada.