LaRue Campbell Bennett passed away on August 12, 2021, at her home in Marbleton, Wyo. LaRue was born to Rulon Chester Campbell and Nellie Maurine Thurman on Sept. 7, 1933, in Afton, Wyo., at the home of her grandparents. She was the oldest of five children. The first two years of her life were spent living in a log cabin on the family farm. They later moved to Afton where LaRue attended all 12 years of school. She graduated from Star Valley High School in 1951 and participated in orchestra (playing the violin), yearbook, school plays, Pep Stars and seminary. LaRue spent several years participating in many 4-H food clubs where her love for home economics began.

LaRue attended the University of Wyoming on a home economics scholarship. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and enjoyed life in the sorority house, attending ball games and singing the pep song “Cowboy Joe” (which she later loved teaching to her children). Upon completion of her degree in 1954, she accepted a contract to teach home economics in Big Piney, Wyo. Little did she know that would also include teaching girls P.E. While in Big Piney, LaRue met and dated Rodney S. Bennett Jr. They married on Aug. 19, 1956, and made their home in Big Piney, later moving to their home in Marbleton where they raised their family. They became the parents of seven children. They later divorced.

LaRue was a lifelong resident of Wyoming, and dearly loved all things Wyoming. She enjoyed gardening, reading, traveling, teaching piano lessons and homemaking. Above all, her greatest joy was being a mother. She cherished each and every day spent with her children and grandchildren. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was committed to serving those around her, exemplifying the teachings of Jesus Christ. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

LaRue is survived by her seven children Mark Rodney, Elyse (Jeff) Bartschi, Jan (RL) Bell, Grant Rulon (Rosi), Eric Campbell (Diane), Amber (Michael) McCullough and Corey David (Melanie) as well as 17 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and siblings Ferrell, Loretta Zurick, Fredric and Evelyn Godfrey.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 20, at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meeting house in Big Piney with a viewing from 11:00 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Interment will follow in the Plainview Cemetery.