Lael Fletcher

Lael Harvey Fletcher

May 11, 1939 – December 18, 2021

It’s been said we ought to live our lives in a way that, when the time comes to depart, we don’t leave with the music left within us. Lael Harvey Fletcher, who passed on the 18th of December 2021, challenges this saying by continuing her song beyond this life. Her testimony of a sustained, eternal chorus continues to be a reassurance to those of us who remain.

Lael’s love for music certainly stems from her adoration of her parents. With a memory as sharp as her wit, Lael often reflected on her delightful childhood growing up in Ogden, Utah. She loved reflecting on daddy-daughter time spent with her dad Clarance riding along in his truck as he would deliver vegetables or as they would go fishing, together whistling a tune. Sitting beside the piano as her mother Afton would play certainly attuned and prepared her ear and voice for over 80 years as an alto singer in school choirs, church choirs, solos, nightly lullabies, and yearly birthday songs for each of her kids, grandkids (and their spouses) and great grandkids. Even in the final days, when pain and struggle became too great, she would sing, hum, or mouth songs of the sacred, carols of Christmas and anything by Mr. Frank Sinatra.

She met Richard Fletcher at Ogden High School as an incoming sophomore and he an outgoing Senior. Their rhythm and step came together on the dance floor. “Wow he was good” she would often recall when thinking back on their twists and jitterbugs. They married on July 24, 1959 in Tacoma Washington and were later sealed together in the Ogden Temple July 23, 1985.  Together they had their three girls Fawn, Fara, and Fran and their one boy Dax who brought melodies and tunes of their own through the years. Her kids and posterity were truly her song of joy!

Lael’s life-chorus was her cheerful, fun personality which resonated to all within her reach, including the many family dogs! She loved everyone and gave great hugs. She made life-long friends all along the way and treasured those relationships. Her beautiful smile and contagious laugh were hard to miss in the moment, but now will certainly be missed.

Lael was preceded in death by her parents Clarance and Afton, her older brother Gaynard, and her sweetheart Richard. She is survived by her four children Fawn Roeseler (Jim) Littleton, Colorado, Fara Harper, Sterling Alaska, Fran Niederhauser (Jeff) South Weber and Dax Richard Fletcher, (Becca) Carlsbad, California, 11 Grandchildren Landon Swenson (Maylynn), Lacee Porter (Christopher), Misti Preito, Kaylee Carson, Kimberley Carson (Justin), Erika Rappleye (Porter), Heidi Boardman (Quin), Dallin Niederhauser (Mikelle), Bryson Niederhauser (Jenny), Ava Brianne Fletcher and Gavin Dax Fletcher, 23 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.  Friends may visit with family Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary prior to the service.

Services may also be viewed with the attached link https:// youtu.be/1UQxSUpOywg.

Interment will be at the Ogden City Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers donate to your local animal shelter.