LaDean Petty Riches, 85, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed from this life on November 17, 2018 in Richfield, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. LaDean was born August 29, 1933 Hiawatha, Utah to Florence Ann Behunin and Elmer Dean Petty (Pettey). She was the oldest of five daughters (LaDean, Phyllis, Annette, Karen, Diane.)
LaDean grew up in Hiawatha, a coal mining town. She was always ready with a story on growing up there. She graduated from Price High School, attended the Carbon College (College of Eastern Utah), and later Stevens-Henager College where she studied bookkeeping, a career she was to follow for the next 30 years. She worked at L R Samuels in Ogden, in Richfield for KSVC, owned a craft store, worked at two insurance agencies, and finally retired at 79 from Knit-n-Craft.
LaDean enjoyed all types of crafting and passed that love on to her children. She loved to make jewelry, paint, sew, knit, crochet, quilt, rock hound, wood work, and cook. She loved to jump in the car and drive all over, especially Southern Utah. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She enjoyed genealogy and history. LaDean loved to read and discuss books she had read. This is another love she passed on to her children. She was a quiet woman whose influence was broad. She loved to make quilts for the hospital, volunteered with the Pink Ladies, where she served as President; and performed innumerable acts of service to family, friends and strangers.
A major part of her life was spent in the mountains and desert. In the summers she assisted her parents with their mountain resort at Ferron Reservoir. Countless summers were spent hiking, camping, fishing, cooking, canning, and cleaning with her parents, sisters, and children. The springs and falls were spent in the desert collecting firewood, with picnics and long walks looking for interesting rocks. She always wanted to go on an adventure and passed this love of the mountains and deserts of Southern Utah to her children.
LaDean loved to talk with her children and grandchildren. Whether in person or on the phone, every subject was discussed from politics, religion, the latest book read, and what was happening in the family. She was the rock that held the family together. Her advice was actively sought and lovingly given. She made each person feel like they were the center of her life.
She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served in many different capacities in the Relief Society, Sunday School, and Primary. She served as a visiting teacher and loved the sisters she served.
LaDean married Glen Taylor Riches on April 12, 1952 in Bernillio, New Mexico, while Glen was stationed there in the Air Force. Glen and LaDean have five children: Michael Alan, Waine Clark, Joice Ann (Kim) Bredsguard, Sharon Kaye (Jeffery) Benavides and Janet Colleen (Barry) Willden. LaDean has 28 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren (that number is still growing.) She loved them all and they loved her. She loved to have the grandchildren visit and looked forward to their coming, dropping everything to visit with them and would get down on the floor and play until her body refused to let her.
LaDean is survived by her husband of 66 years; her children; grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and four of her sisters. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Karen Platt; grandsons: Joel Benavides and Christopher Riches; and great-granddaughter BrookElle Rain Waters.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in the Richfield City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com
La, Mom, Grandma – you will be missed until we see you again in the beautiful mountains and deserts you loved so much.