LOGAN, Utah - Martha LaRue Merritt Wood passed from this life on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008.
She returned home to a happy reunion with her husband, Denzel; her mother and father; her sister, Elayne; her daughter, Martha; a great-granddaughter, Chelsey; son-in-law, Edwin Golding; and many relatives and friends. She was born Aug. 29, 1925, in Afton, Wyo. She was the daughter of Samuel Therin Merritt and Ida Taysom Merritt, and sister to Hannah Elayne. She enjoyed a happy, carefree childhood. She was given the nickname "Bud" or "Buddy" by her father because that was what she was to him. She met her sweetheart, Denzel Walton Wood, at a Star Valley dance. They were married Oct. 5, 1943, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They began their married life in Auburn, Wyo. Because her husband was a farmer and a rancher, their days were busy and filled with hard work. They made a good life for themselves and were blessed with five children. In April of 1961, Denzel and LaRue moved to Logan, Utah, where Denzel had a job as a carpenter for Utah State University. LaRue also got a job at the university working in the vending department. She worked there for 13 years, retiring in May of 1982. LaRue was involved many years with the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She served in three camps through the years and recently received a 22-year recognition of service pin from the Henry Ballard Camp. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in the Relief Society, Primary and Mutual program. She is remembered by many young women for teaching them to crochet and knit. LaRue has many friends and loved ones, as she knew how to be a true friend. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, always loving unconditionally and making each one feel special. Quilts, afghans, flannel pajamas, orange sticks, homemade root beer, April Fool's Day tricks and family get-together dinners all make for fond and happy memories. Her legacy is her family: five children, 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren with more to come. Her children are: Dan T. Wood, Marla (Dean) Webb, Kris (Edwin) Golding and LaZell (Tony) Allen. Her grandchildren are: Shane (Kristina) Wood, Leisa (Brandon) Rackham, Amanda (Chris) Reeder, Jacob (Amber) Wood, Chanin (Karen) Webb, Lacey Webb, Travis (Leah) Golding, Karrie (Casey) McClung, Bryan (Ashlee) Golding, Suzie (John) Womack, Curtis Allen, Hailee Allen, Courtnee Allen, Lindsey Allen and Chelsey Allen (preceded in death). Her great-grandchildren are: Alyssandra LaRue Wood, Kelsy Rackam, Mitch Reeder, Tanner Reeder, Colby Reeder, Lexie Wood and Shaylor, Bryana Webb, Denzel Webb, Diego Webb, Hannah Womack, Madison Womack, Wyatt Golding, Garrett Golding and Alyssa Golding. We share our mom's gratitude to the kind neighbors and friends who watched after her. The visits, the flowers, the freshly baked bread, stuffed green peppers, raspberry huckleberry jam, snow-plowed driveways, dinners out on the town and so many other deeds of kindness will always be remembered. Our mom leaves a memorial of family, loving memories and cherished friendships. "A mother holds her children's hands for a little while, their hearts forever." Interment Auburn Wyoming Cemetery.