Obituary of RaNae Perry

We mourn the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother Rose RaNae Perry who slipped away peacefully in her home on July 29^th, 2023.   She was preceded in death by her husband, William Perry, and her oldest son David Perry.  Leaving behind her son, Danial Perry, and daughters Karen Smith and Dena Dodge along with 14 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren.

  Rose RaNae Perry was born on the 10th day of April 1935 in Parowan, Utah. She is the second of three children born to Vione Hyatt Burt Cottrell Stolar and David Alma Burt.  She spent her earliest years in Parowan with her two brothers Leo and Roy. The family moved to Lakeview, Oregon for a few years afterwards settling in Roseburg, Oregon.  Here she welcomed her sister Shirleen who was born to Ward Cottrell who became her adopted father.  At some point in her youth, she dropped her first name, Rose, and began using her middle name, RaNae.  She graduated from Roseburg High School in 1953 and a year later graduated from beauty school where she had learned the art and skill of hair styling, which career she continued, with and without pay, into her early 70’s. 

  After graduating from beauty school, RaNae met and married Army mechanic and Korean War veteran William “Bill” Perry.  Shortly thereafter David was born followed 11 months later by Dan.  It wasn’t long before Bill was encouraged by RaNae to move to Klamath Falls, Oregon so he could complete a degree in Engineering Technology from the Oregon Technology Institute, today known as OIT.  With Karen on the way, Bill began a life-long career working for the United States Forest Service later becoming a licensed engineer and surveyor. Bill’s career took the family many places including several ranger stations located up and down the North Umpqua River in southern Oregon.  Dena, the youngest child, was born during this time. RaNae loved the outdoors and swimming with her children in the many rivers and lakes of the Oregon Cascades. 

  It was while the whole family was living at the Toketee Falls Ranger station that Bill was introduced to and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  RaNae had been baptized into the church as a young girl.  During the five years the family lived in Corvallis, Oregon, RaNae and the rest of the family had become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and were very active in church activities eventually being sealed together for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.  After moving a few more times to various towns in Oregon and serving as Relief Society president and other church callings RaNae began, in earnest, her life’s study of the gospel of Jesus Christ while teaching home seminary to her teenage daughters.  She taught seminary and institute for over 40 years with an ever-increasing love and passion for the young people of the church.  She had found her passion.  Everyone loved her gospel classes and study groups but mostly they felt her love for them and for Jesus Christ.  With arms out-stretched RaNae left a legacy of compassion, service, and love for all people but especially for the Savior, Jesus Christ.

  A viewing for friends and family will be held on Friday, August 4, 2023 from 9:00 to 10:00 am.  A private viewing will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 am.  Her funeral service will begin at 11:00 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint [1332 Cornell St, Middleton, ID 83644]. Interment will follow at Middleton Cemetery in Middleton, Idaho.