LaRee Fae Shafer (Peterson), beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 24th, 2023, at the age of 86. LaRee was born on November 13th, 1936, in Manti, Utah, to parents Andrew and Lucille Peterson, raised by Frank Lovewell.

LaRee (Ree Ree) shared memories of spending much of her childhood at Liberty Park, where she talked of the old carousel, ferris wheel, hot dog stand, swimming pool, swings, slides, and monkey bars. As she grew older, her parents would let her ride the bus to Spring City so her Grandma and Grandpa could pick her up and go to the farm. Her Grandpa showed her how to gently gather the eggs from the chickens without disturbing them, but Ree being Ree, would shoo the chickens away with a stick to avoid having to touch them. She was born on the 13th and also turned 13 on Friday the 13th, so this made 13 a lucky number in the family. LaRee married her husband Harvey Shafer at age 15 before moving to Barstow while Harvey served in the Marines where they had their first born son. After spending time in Barstow, they moved back to Salt Lake City where she had 3 more beautiful boys. Some of LaRee’s greatest memories were the years spent watching her kids playing sports.

“Ree’s love was infectious and could always be felt whenever she sent “Love, Hugs and Kisses””

She continued this passion and became the number one fan to all of her grandkids and great grandkids and attended as many sporting events or dance recitals as possible. She was sure to remember the families important dates by marking the birthdays, anniversaries, and games in her calendar with her heart or kiss stickers. It was also hard to leave her house without being loaded up with snacks, drinks, and candies whenever finishing a visit.

Ree’s love was infectious and could always be felt whenever she sent “Love, Hugs and Kisses”, or signed every birthday card and letter with XOXO, or finishing a call or visit with “Sure do love ya buddy, tons and tons”. She’d always tell the kids and grandkids to “Be Bad” (convinced that reverse psychology works), but kept the fly swatter around in case she had to lightly “swat” anyone in line. Ree was proud of her immaculate yard and garden, and enjoyed getting her exercise by cutting the lawn as often as possible. LaRee thoroughly enjoyed her time vacuuming, and could always be heard singing over the loud motor as she made the lines in the carpet as straight as possible.

LaRee is survived by her three boys: Kevin, Kelly (Kimberly), Brent (Fawn), grandkids: Brad (Amanda), Tiffany (Loren Okuly),Tobi (Leo) Paulos, Kortney (Blair) Little, Brandon, Blake, Eric, Steven (Stephanie Dailey), grandkids: Bobby, Bentlee, Beau, Brandon, Ashley, Benjamin, Chase, Ellie, Liam, sibling: Connie Brierley. She was preceded in death by her parents: (Frank Lovewell, Lucille Lovewell, and Andrew Peterson), husband: (Harvey Shafer), son (Ron Shafer), and brother (Ray Peterson), as well as many aunts and uncles.

LaRee will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her legacy of kindness & compassion will live on in all who knew her. A funeral service will be held on Friday April 28, 2023, at Memorial Mountain View Mortuary (3115 E. Bengal Blvd, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121) at 11:00am, visitation 1 hour before. LaRee will be laid to rest next to her husband, Harvey and son, Ron.