Lorraine Johnston Fowers

Hooper – Lorraine Johnston Fowers passed away on May 18, 2025, in her home, with peace and dignity, just like she lived her life.

She was born April 8, 1923 in Hooper, Utah to CL (Tobe) and Lea Lambert Johnston; a middle child, with brothers Blair and Dale. Imagine 102 years old!! Gasoline was 25 cents a gallon, a postage stamp was 2 cents in 1923. She was born, grew up, married, and died in Hooper. Her parents owned a store/gas station/barbershop on the (4-way stop) main corner in Hooper and their home was adjacent to the store. Lorraine was selling ‘penny’ candy at the family store before she started school and by the first grade could count money. She, along with 34 classmates, attended Hooper Elementary School through 10th grade, with Seminary in the 9th and 10th grades. She finished her education at Weber High School in Ogden. She was always a very good student. She participated in music, plays, and was the pitcher on her softball team. Hooper was the center of much of her teenage activities.

Lorraine married a local Hooper boy, Wiley Fowers, on April 22, 1942 in the Salt Lake Temple. They rode the ‘Bamburger Railroad’ train to Salt Lake City for their marriage ceremony. Wiley and Lorraine worked hard, together, to establish a successful farming and ranching livelihood. Lorraine was not only the homemaker, but she hoed sugar beets, drove harvest trucks and tractors, and anything else needed on the farm. She worked in the tomato canning factory peeling tomatoes and out of the home for Sperry Rand and Thiokol in addition to continuing her work in the family ‘Confectionery’ with her parents. Lorraine and Wiley raised three children, Kurt, Leann and Jelean.

Lorraine was a faithful and active member of her community and her faith, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She worked with the Weber County and Hooper Farm Bureaus in organizing community celebrations, and building and painting bleachers for the park. She was a member of the Hooper Women’s Club and Daughters of Utah Pioneers where she continued to contribute to her community and loving the people with whom she associated. She served in several presidencies and teaching positions across many of the Church’s organizations. Above all, she loved her Savior.

Lorraine and Wiley traveled throughout the western United States, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and New Zealand. Her favorite place to visit was Hebgen Lake, Montana with family and friends. She began that love at an early age with her parents and it continued for 90+ years. Even when she could not continue the ‘camping’ excursion, she always wanted to see the family photos and bring back her decades of memories of that special place.

Lorraine had a beautiful alto voice, sang in choirs, and with other women in duets as well as solo performances. She was a great cook—made the best macaroni salad ever, hosted all the family gatherings, and loved to call the family Thanksgiving BINGO game— something she still did at 101 years old. She loved her family, chocolate, the Utah Jazz, shopping at the dollar stores, crocheting, and going for rides—anywhere!

Lorraine’s 102 years has seen her as an energetic child, active teenager, young mother, hard-working wife, and loving grandmother who was always there to take grandkids to school when they missed their bus. She, with class and grace, settled into being a great-grandmother who finally allowed those of us who love her to serve her in the same way she served us.

Lorraine leaves behind her children Kurt (Marsha) Fowers, Leann (Dennis) Belnap, and Jelean (Brad) Beus, 10 Grandchildren, 28 Great-Grandchildren, 1 great-great granddaughter, and 1 more on the way.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wiley, her parents and brothers, Blair and Dale and sisters-in-law Gloria and Karen.

Thanks CNS Hospice Care and their angel nurses and for two self-less caregivers, Esther and Raelene, who loved Lorraine. With their tender care, she was able to finish her life’s journey in her home. She was a fiercely independent woman and that independent spirit defined her final years.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the Hooper 3rd Ward, 5601 S. 6100 W. Friends may visit with family on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist's Roy Mortuary, 3333 W. 5600 S. and on Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Hooper City Cemetery.

Services will be live streamed and available the day of services by scrolling to the bottom of Lorraine's obituary page.