Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

Forthcoming funeral services are planned for the following friends from our community. Complete versions of these obituaries may also be found in The Payson Chronicle.

STEPHEN BERT RAFF

Stephen Bert Raff, age 70, of Payson, Utah, “graduated” from mortality April 10, 2020, top of his class. He will,
no doubt, continue his teaching and learning with his parents, Dayton and Evelyn Higginson Raff, and two of his
brothers, Dayle and LeVern, and many other loved ones who have also courageously endured their mortal journey

Stephen was born in Nampa, Idaho, August 11, 1949. He participated in ward choirs, with his mother, from
a very young age. He loved music, performing, and sharing his talent of singing, with his beautiful tenor voice.
He attended Ricks College and performed in Hansel and Gretel, The King and I, and other productions. 

He met and fell in love with Marla Hellewell, and they were married on July 8, 1971, in the Logan, Utah temple.
His role as husband and father proved to be the most amazing lead role he’d ever have. The two welcomed three
girls and three boys: Kevin (Steffani) Raff, Jason (Elizabeth) Raff, Jayne (Jeremy) Elswood, Mark (Janie) Raff,
Shari (Troy) Humphries, and Stephanie (Jered) Taylor, who were raised to love each other, honor their parents,
and trust in our Heavenly Father’s Plan through actively serving and living the Gospel taught in the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  His legacy also includes 25 grandchildren, ages 24-4, who have learned above
all: determination, selflessness, and forgiveness, among many other qualities throughout Stephen’s life.
He supported his kids in their numerous swim meets, sporting events, choir performances, scouting trips, and
home projects dreamed up by Mom. 

He graduated from BYU with Bachelor and Master’s degrees in education and taught fourth and fifth grade
students at Wilson Elementary, in Payson, where he and Marla lived most of their married life. His teacher
qualities also helped him successfully do technical writing for software companies, the most recent (from
which he retired) was MultiLing Corporation. He participated in many musical/ theatrical performances
while living in Payson, including performances of 1776, The Title of Liberty, Moroni, and solo performances
with the Payson Civic Chorale. One of the most rewarding singing roles, though, was his ten years spent as a
member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. This provided many unique memories for his family, of which they
are so grateful.

Stephen loved his family and people. His smile was contagious, and he kept an incredibly positive, calm,
caring attitude till his journey’s end.  As his dementia set in, we were continuously reminded of what was
clearly most important, and his message to all who knew him: our spouse, our temple covenants made, and
that he loved us unconditionally, will be what remains as his legacy.

A viewing will be held for immediate and extended family members on April 14, 2020 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
at Walker Funeral Home in Payson. A public viewing will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.  A private family
graveside service will be held Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at the Payson City Cemetery.