LuRae Elaine Ostergaard Barlow

LuRae Elaine Ostergaard Barlow passed away peacefully in her home on July 25, 2025, with two of her sons by her side. LuRae was born on September 29, 1935 to Parley and Lenore Ostergaard.

LuRae was raised in Bountiful on 200 West and Center. LuRae lost her father in an accident when she was eight years old. There was a cute boy, Ronnie, that lived up the street on Center just east of Main Street. LuRae had her eyes on him from a young age even though he was two years older than her. She successfully won him over. LuRae and Ronald started going steady while she was a senior at Davis High in 1953; and he gave her a diamond on her graduation night. Ronald then left on an LDS mission and upon his return, the two were joined for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple on December 2, 1955.

One year later, LuRae started her life as a mother, giving birth to their first son. Shortly thereafter, in January 1957, employment opportunities took this young family to the Bay Area in California, where the family continued to grow. In less than three years, LuRae had ‘my three sons’. There were two daughters then added to the family before they moved back to Bountiful, Utah in 1969. By 1971, the family was complete with two more girls born in Utah. Yes, LuRae was the proud, wonderful mother of three boys and then four girls; a total of seven children. She was a very dedicated mother and home maker.

As the family grew older, LuRae was involved in the PTA, LDS church callings including Relief Society President, Young Women's president, and always trying to teach and keep track of the kids.

LuRae bought a sewing machine embroidery business in 1973. It grew and became LuRae’s Creative Stitchery, and eventually Creative Stitches. Not only was LuRae the #1 Embroidery teacher in the nation, but they created a very successful mail order business selling the needed supplies, and traveling the country teaching her mastered skills. A couple of overseas business trips to visit sewing machine factories in Germany and Switzerland must have sparked her desire to travel. She says all 50 states and 27 countries have been visited by her.

LuRae and Ronald enjoyed going to Community playhouses such as Centerpoint and Hale Theater for many years. A major incident in her life was in October of 2005, when they were run down in a crosswalk in front of the Capitol Theater. This accident slowed her down, but not for long. 

LuRae has always been a very strong but kind, and forgiving person. LuRae is known for her outgoing, friendly nature. She lived a compassionate life, helping others, and opened her home to many over the decades. 

LuRae and Ronald served multiple missions for the LDS church. Washington DC CES was the first one in 1996, shortly after retirement. LuRae served as a Conference Center tour guide in 2000. Next was the Oregon Eugene mission in 2002, serving under Ronald's close friend, John Cushing. Additionally, service missions for Temple Square, and at the Family History Center in SLC in 2011. In 2017, LuRae was a hostess at the family history library, and worked in the stake music library. Temple work has always been a priority in LuRae’s life.

LuRae is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Royce, her husband Ronald, their daughter Karen, and a grandson Jaaron.

LuRae is survived by her 6 children: Garrick (Julie), Scot, Nelson (Jeme’), Annette (Kendall) Lovell, Suzanne (Walter) Horne, and Alison (Michael) Clausen, her sister Carolyn, and multiple generations of grandchildren.

Funeral services for LuRae will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the LDS church building, 640 South 750 East, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah, and Thursday morning from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page.