Laurene Bodily Mihu

Laurene Bodily Mihu, beloved mother of ten children, age seventy-nine, passed away after valiantly fighting lung cancer on the morning of July 25, 2024. Most recently of Tucson, Arizona, Laurene had a life full of blessings and trials, faith and heartaches. She was the embodiment of love and kindness, the exemplar of true Christ-like love.

Laurene was born at St. Luke’s hospital in Boise, Idaho on May 2, 1945 to Ross Allen Bodily and Amy Laura Harris Bodily. She was the fifth of six children and spent her childhood in Meridian, Idaho; Star, Idaho; and a brief summer in Columbia Falls, Montana which she remembered fondly.

On February 10th, 1966, Laurene married Ronald Kenneth Mihu in the Salt Lake Temple.

She was the devoted mother of Ronald (Tammy), Jennifer (Wynn), David (Lisa), Beverly (Aaron), Melanie (Chip), Laura (Bruce), Jeremy (Livia), Robert (Tina), Kimberly (Stephen), and Nathan (Katie), who were all her pride and joy. Nothing made her happier than visits with her children, except perhaps visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Laurene’s children think of her whenever they smell fresh-baked bread, or remember the buckets of home-made granola which she perfected as a result of raising so many children.

Laurene and Ronald enjoyed many years raising their children and have friends and fond memories while living in Pocatello, Clifton, Idaho Falls, and Oxford, Idaho. Their later years were spent in Kansas City, Missouri, and Tucson, Arizona. She enjoyed the friendships made in all of the places she called home, particularly living mere houses away from one of her daughters.

Laurene lived a devoted and faithful life. She showed her devotion in a myriad of ways throughout her daily life, as well as through serving two missions with her husband for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The first was to the Washington Kennewick Mission, and the second in the South Africa Johannesburg Mission.

Laurene was preceded in death by her parents, Amy and Ross Allen Bodily, her sister Carolyn, and her brother Sheryl. She is survived by her adoring husband, Ronald, her ten devoted children, forty-six grandchildren, and thirty-three great-grandchildren, as well as her siblings Merlyn, Elena, and LouAnn; all of whom will never forget the love she brought to their lives.

Laurene’s funeral took place in Tucson, Arizona on August 3rd. There will be a graveside service held in Oxford, Idaho on August 10th at 11:00 am.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com