LaRae Lopez

LaRae Provstgaard Lopez
November 7, 1943 – June 12, 2025

Our sweet mother, LaRae Provstgaard Lopez, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on June 12, 2025. She is now reunited with the love of her life, Gilbert.

LaRae was born on November 7, 1943, in Payson, Utah, the youngest of six children to James and Eliza Beth Provstgaard. She grew up in a small, humble home in Payson that was always filled with love. She adored her mother and “Daddy” deeply, and those early years were full of warmth and strong family bonds. School wasn’t her favorite—she often said she didn’t like it much—but she found joy in being at home, surrounded by family, and learned early on the value of love, loyalty, and hard work.

She married Gilbert Lopez on January 5, 1962, in Phenix City, Alabama. They bought their wedding rings at the PX for $17 and began a beautiful life together that spanned 60 years. Their bond was filled with love, laughter, and deep devotion to family.

LaRae and Gilbert were blessed with five children:
Chris R., Betheny (Daryl), Lori (Mike), Jessica (Ken), and Shannon (Jeffery).

She was the proud grandmother of 11 grandchildren: Trisha, Justin, Melisa, Hollee, Chase, Lacey, Meagan, Micah, Park, Gabrielle, and Julian;
19 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was also a cherished aunt and dear friend to many.

In 1972, LaRae opened Dairy Delight in Tooele, a business she and Gilbert built from the ground up. They created the menu, ran the operations, and made the small restaurant a local treasure. LaRae’s work ethic was unmatched—she took great pride in running her own business and passed down the values of hard work, kindness, love, and the importance of family to her children.

LaRae had a passion for life’s simple joys. She loved traveling, spontaneous car rides, warm sunshine on her face, gambling, trips to Wendover, and hunting for treasures at Goodwill and the DI. She had a deep appreciation for art, and despite suffering from macular degeneration, she always had an eye for beauty.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Gilbert; her brothers Sheldon and Howard; and her sisters Gayle, JoAnne, and Laura Lee.

LaRae left us with broken hearts but at peace, finally reunited with Dad. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Tate Mortuary, 110 South Main Street, Tooele, Utah, with a viewing prior from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.