RaNae Griffin Smith

RaNae Griffin Smith (1929 ~ 2012)

RUPERT – RaNae Griffin Smith, age 82, of Rupert, was the fifth of five children. RaNae was born in Newton, Cache, Utah, on Aug. 20, 1929, to Amos and Idella Griffin. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Friday, March 9, 2012, in Rupert.

RaNae grew up in Newton, Utah. She loved her family very much. She graduated from North Cache High School in 1947. RaNae married O’dell Smith Jr. on May 9, 1947, and on June 20, 1949, were sealed in the Logan Utah LDS Temple. They raised five children. They later divorced. She married Garr Hovey in 1995. He passed away in 2001.

RaNae was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holding many callings in various organizations. RaNae willingly helped others in many capacities. She was an honest, hardworking, kind, and very classy lady with a great sense of humor. She had such a sweet disposition, and maintained such grace and dignity throughout her life. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren – often “bragging” of their accomplishments. She loved attending the opera and symphony, reading, gardening, watching the Utah Jazz, and traveling all over the world.

RaNae began her working career in Logan, Utah, where she worked as secretary to the radiologist at Budge Memorial. She also managed an office for three physicians in Smithfield, Utah. She took time off to raise her family and move to Idaho. She assisted her husband in developing farmland from sagebrush. RaNae worked many hours in general farm management. It was not uncommon for her to be driving truck during harvest, changing siphon tubes, doing household and farm taxes, and managing farm business, rising day after day to do it all again. RaNae served on school and county PTA boards. She also served as a room mother and helped with school carnivals.

RaNae re-entered the work force in 1959 as a secretary for the Minidoka County School District at Acequia School. In 1966, RaNae began working for Minidoka Memorial Hospital where she worked for 29 years. She held many positions, and by the time she retired in 1995, had become the director of human resources. She later served on the Guardian Board of the hospital.

RaNae was very active politically. She served as secretary for the Democratic Party for 15 years, and as a state and precinct committee woman. She also was the campaign manager for a political candidate. She was the secretary for the Utah-Idaho Farmers Union for many years and was a representative for the Utah-Idaho Women’s Conference. She was also a delegate in 1986 at the National Convention in Spokane, Washington. RaNae was honored by the Rupert Business and Professional Women organization as their Woman of Progress in January 1989.

RaNae was extremely hard working and very astute at financial matters. With thoughtfulness and generosity, she diligently served her family, as well as others within her circle of influence.

RaNae is survived by her children, Pamela (Val) Nish of Smithfield, Utah, Cynthia (Paul) Mickelsen, and Andrea (Tim) Jolley all of Rupert, Corey (Melody) Smith of Emerson, and Jeremy (Lisa) Smith of Rupert; 22 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Richard Griffin of Vacaville, California, and Morris Griffin of Downey, California; and sisters-in-law, Sue Knolle of Austin, Texas, and Lagene Hanson of St. George, Utah; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

RaNae was preceded in death by her parents, Amos Reuben and Idella Elizabeth Peterson Griffin; and siblings, Amos Clarke and Duane William Griffin; and sisters-in-law, Helen Griffin and Mid Griffin.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to RaNae’s faithful home and visiting teachers and to the staff at Countryside Care and Rehabilitation and Minidoka Memorial Hospital for the outstanding and compassionate care given to our mother.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Acequia LDS Church with Bishop Richard Poteet officiating. Burial will be in the Rupert Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, March 16, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church.

The family suggests that memorials be directed to the Countryside Care and Rehabilitation Center in memory of RaNae.