LaRae (Allen) Lowry McMillan Obituary (1934 - 2020)

WATCH LIVE FUNERAL STREAM HERE ( 11:00 AM - MST) LaRae Allen Lowry McMillan, 86, most recently of Orem, Utah, passed away peacefully December 24, 2020 and was welcomed into the loving arms of her beloved family members who preceded her in death. LaRae was born in Great Falls, Montana on August 19, 1934 to the late William Kirby Allen and Rhoda Olive Harding. When she was 3 years old, the family returned to Utah where she grew up in the Vineyard area of Orem with her brothers, sisters and many cousins and friends who remained dear to her throughout her life. She loved the simplicity of life in Vineyard - raising their own food on the farms, riding bikes and playing football on the lawn of the Geneva Steel Plant. She remembered fondly the Vineyard Mercantile where she would buy a piece of penny candy (when she had a penny), ward parties, working hard and playing hard. Life in Vineyard was not easy by today's standards, but was wonderful. One of her favorite sayings when facing a difficult situation was, "I'm tough. I am a Vineyard girl!" LaRae graduated from Lincoln High School in Orem in 1952, and the next year married Dwayne Carlos Lowry. Together they raised five children while living in Utah, California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and again in California. She was an active and engaging woman, and volunteered for many years in several community capacities including PTA President, and supportive roles in Little League baseball and high school football leagues. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served as president of the women's organization (Relief Society) three different times, the president of the young women's organization and the president of the children's organization (Primary), as well as many other service callings within the Church. Her testimony of Jesus Christ as her Savior was unshakable, and she had a powerful influence upon many within her circles. After going through a divorce, she served an 18-month proselyting mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1986-1988) in the Raleigh, North Carolina Mission, where she touched many lives. After her mission, she settled again in Orem. In 1996, LaRae married Kenneth Dean McMillan and settled into Ken's home in Lindon, Utah. She loved her new, expanded family including Ken's four children, their spouses, and all of the grandchildren and great grandchildren. For Ken and LaRae, two families became one and life became an adventure in sharing love. Their home in Lindon, with its beautiful gardens and trees, was a favorite gathering place for family events and friendly visits. LaRae and Ken viewed it as "Camelot", where they enjoyed working, gardening, and growing old together. LaRae is survived by her five children, Steven (Janell) Lowry of Orem, Utah; Terry (Wendy Mendez) Lowry of Huntington Beach, California; Cathy (Kevin) Starr of Simsbury, Connecticut; Doug (Donna) Lowry of North Augusta, South Carolina; Shari (Kyle) Wells of Gilbert, Arizona; her four step-children, Carl (Linda) McMillan of Pleasant Grove, Utah; Jerry McMillan of Hurst, Texas; Cristie (John Michael) Berg of Highland, Utah; and Mike (Sharon) McMillan of Lindon, Utah; her sister Carol (Pat) Gollinger of Salt Lake City, Utah; sister-in-law Pat (Ron) Allen; brothers-in-law Glen (June) Nelson and Bill (AnnaRose McMillan) Harris ; and many, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly. In addition to her parents, LaRae was predeceased by her dear husband, Kenneth Dean McMillan, her siblings, Kenneth Allen, Neola Hallows, Jesse Allen, Eva Gray Halladay, Mary Downs, Shirley Allen, June Nelson, Ron Allen, and her former husband, Dwayne Carlos Lowry. A viewing will be held Monday, January 4, 2021 from 9:30 to 10:45 am in the Lindon 5th Ward chapel, 610 W 100 S, Lindon. Funeral services will begin at 11 am with a graveside service immediately following at the Lindon City Cemetery. Streaming will be available via Zoom at https://churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/j/99395855640?pwd=NTJLaHliRFkzU1hMeGNKejlLUUpEUT09 The family would like to thank the staffs of Covington Senior Living and Tender Care Home Health and Hospice for the care offered to their mother during her time of need. Funeral services are under the care of Olpin Family Mortuary in Pleasant Grove.