Cherie Smith Malan

Cherie was born on October 8, 1949, in Malad, Idaho, and passed away at home with family by her side on June 14, 2023, in St George, Utah, at the age of 73.

Cherie was born to Karl and Retha Smith of Holbrook, Idaho, where she was raised on the family ranch along with her five siblings. She spent the summers on the ranch working and riding horses and spent the winters in Malad. She attended and graduated from Malad High School and was involved in rodeo and cheerleading. 

After graduating high school, she attended Ricks college for a year and married Nolan Blaisdell.  Together they had four children: Christoffer, Heather, Kimberly, and John. They raised their family working the farm and ranching in St John, Idaho.

While raising her family Cherie also worked outside the home. For many years she taught gymnastics to many local youths, was active in 4-H, and spent many hours helping to reopen the Malad swimming pool project named, “Revenge of the Aqua Plunge.” She later returned to school to become a cosmetologist and had her own shop, cutting hair for many years. 

She loved her family, the Gospel, and was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many different callings, and on many occasions, she stated that her Young Women’s calling was her favorite. She also was able to serve a service mission while living in St George.

Nolan and Cherie later divorced, and she then moved to St George, Utah, where she enjoyed the heat, which helped with her health conditions. She loved the history of her ancestors that helped settle the Valley and she would share family history stories, and she especially liked to talk about her dad (Grandpa Smith) whenever she could.

It was while she was living in St George that she met and fell in love with Ernest Frank Malan (Grandpa Mike as called by the grandkids), and his family Kelly (Kenny) Littleton, John (Allison) Malan, and Tim (Hilda) Malan. They were married and made their home in Ivins, Utah, where they raised fighting cocks and had a horse-riding business called “Trails End Guest Ranch.” They taught riding lessons to many kids and adults from all over and would take them on beautiful scenic rides in Ivins, and always made sure to show them the amazing petroglyphs that were not far from their home. She loved her horses and her dog Buddy; he was her beloved companion for many years.

Cherie is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband Frank, her oldest sister and brother-in-law Kathleen and Bob Harding.

Cherie is survived by her four children Chris (Barbara) Blaisdell of St George, Utah, Heather (James) Clark of Downey, Idaho, Kimberly (Joshua) Skidmore of Taylor, Utah, and John (Jamie) Blaisdell of Malad, Idaho. Her four siblings David (Nadean) Smith, Ramona (Neil) Hughes, Kent (Pat) Smith and Lisa (John) Hummel. Frank’s children Kelly, John, and Tim, sixteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

A special thanks to everyone, especially all the health care professionals that helped take care of mom at the end, we appreciate all your kindness and respectful caregiving. 

A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 10:00 am, followed by the funeral services at 11:00 am, at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah 84770.

The graveside service will follow at the Ivins City Cemetery.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St, St. George Utah, (435)673-2454.

Friends and family are invited to sign Cherie’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com