- Date Of Birth: November 16, 1929
- Date Of Death: June 8, 2014
- State: Idaho
LaRene (Saxton) Smith
1929 ~ 2014
LaRene was born November 16, 1929 in Barber, Idaho to Leland and Miriam Saxton. She passed away peacefully on Sunday with her children by her side.
LaRene was raised in Boise. She attended Garfield Elementary, Cole School, North Junior High, and then graduated from Boise High School in 1947. She spent her childhood with her best friend and identical twin sister, LaDene along her side. They were inseparable and shared such an extraordinary connection. They bought each other the same birthday cards, felt one another’s pain and had a bond that even 2,000 miles couldn’t break. Monday morning LaDene woke up at her home in Michigan, knowing something had happened to her sister.
In 1948, LaRene and LaDene attended a dance at the Riverside Ballroom. A handsome country boy from Cambridge who had just moved to Boise asked her to dance. LaRene had met her soul mate, Burt Smith, and he swept her off her feet. They were married in December 2nd, 1949 and spent their honeymoon in Niagara Falls. Their love story would last for 63 incredible years. Burt and LaRene raised three children, Susan, S. Burt, and Brad. Her family was her everything.
LaRene worked for the State of Idaho Health Department beginning shortly after she graduated from high school and continued to do so until 1952, when their first child, Susan was born. LaRene worked tirelessly by Burt’s side to grow their construction and development business. Burt and LaRene were partners in every sense of the word. Every business decision Burt ever made had LaRene’s vote of confidence and stamp of approval. She spent countless hours a day, ticking away on her typewriter, running their business office like a well oiled machine. She served proudly as President of the Women’s Auxiliary of the local homebuilder association. But most of all, LaRene loved being a homemaker. She lived for her children, and they respected that she, not Burt, was “the boss”. LaRene served on the school PTA and supported her kids in all their endeavors.
Known for her ease of conversation, some may be surprised that LaRene was painfully shy as a child. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the hearts and trust of everyone she knew. She truly was “the hostess with the mostess” and couldn’t sit still until everyone in the room was taken care of. Her pantry was always stocked with Vanilla Wafers for the grandkids.
LaRene lived the American Dream. She and Burt traveled extensively. They were most proud of the beautiful homes they built in McCall, Idaho and “down south” in Henderson, Nevada.
LaRene was a refined, elegant woman. She loved to shop and will forever be remembered for her signature blazers and turtlenecks (with a tissue tucked away neatly in the sleeve, just in case). She loved having her nails and hair done each week.
LaRene is survived by her children, Susan (Vince) Budell, S. Burt (Janet) Smith, Brad (Sharon) Smith; her six grandchildren, Melissa (Rob) Vian, Michelle (Trevor) Caster, Bridgette (Cody) Rutz, Brian (Amber) Smith, Eric Smith and Jessica Smith; and eight great-grandchildren, McCall Vian, Bodie Vian, Drake Rutz, Rhys Vian, Connor Rutz, Gwyneth Caster, Jaxson Smith, and Archer Vian; brother Nyal Saxton and sister LaDene Snowden. She was preceded in death by her husband Burt Smith, her parents Leland and Miriam Saxton, her sister Nelda Thomson, and her brother Elwin Saxton.
LaRene will be deeply missed as a mother, friend, and grandma, but she will live on in all of us lucky to have known her. Dr. Seuss said “Remember me and smile, for it’s better to forget than to remember me and cry.” LaRene would want it no other way.
