Dorothy Luana Rencher Graff

Dorothy Luana Rencher Graff passed away August 23, 2023 at age 89.

She was born in Cedar City, UT on May 12, 1934 to Mason Snow and AnnaBelle Schmutz Rencher. She grew up on the family ranch in Grass Valley, UT and started school in St. George, UT. In 1942, she moved to New Harmony, UT and she continued school there in a two-room school house. She attended Cedar City Jr. High and Cedar High School. She was the Cedar High School Student Body Secretary, Football Queen, and a member of the Pep club and Drama Club. She enjoyed acting in various plays throughout her school years. She married A. LaMar Graff, Jr on March 26, 1955 in the St. George Temple. She graduated with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education in 1956 from Utah State University. She attended BAC-CSU-SUSC-now known as SUU and the University of Utah. She was active in student affairs, serving as student body secretary while at CSU (SUU) and given the Womanhood Award at her CSU two-year graduation. As a freshman, she was named the Delta Phi Dream Girl. She loved to sing the BAC school song her whole life.

She started serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 14 as a Sunday School teacher and as the MIA (Mutual Improvement Association) secretary for the Young Women. She served in many capacities in the church in Primary, Stake Primary, Sunday School, Relief Society, and Cub Scout Leader. She often said in the years of Primary service, “children were her hobby”.

Public service included South and East Elementary and Cedar City Jr. High PTA,  Board of Valley View Medical Center Foundation, and Hostess at Utah Shakespearean Festival. She was on the Iron County 4-H council, served as a 4-H leader for many years, and judged county fairs all around the area. She also loved all of the cultural arts and always supported them. She was very talented with canning, sewing, quilting, and crochet, winning many ribbons at the county fairs.

After Dr. Graff’s death, Dorothy went to work for Redman Van & Storage, an agent for northAmerican Van Lines, as their Southern UT representative. She traveled the area estimating and packing many moves. She worked for the Iron County School District as a tracker for the youth in custody. The students called her “The Friday Lady.” Christensen’s Department Store hired her to manage their ladies department. She worked at State Bank of Southern Utah in Cedar City for many years and transferred to St. George when they opened the first branch there. She was the New Account Representative. She loved working for the bank and meeting all the new and old customers. She retired after 16 years of service and returned to live in Cedar City and St George part time.  

Survived by children Dr. Arnold LaMar (Brenda) Graff III, Amber (Boyd) Ipson, Alison Stapel, Dr. Mason Rencher (Krista) Graff, 20 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and her dog Lulu. She is also survived by Joanna (Kent) Brown, Paul (Diana) Graff, Sonya Graff, Gaylen Masters, and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. A. LaMar Graff Jr., daughter Annette, parents Mason and AnnaBelle Rencher, sisters Vivian (George) Sherman and Maryrene Masters, brother Jack (Ruth) Rencher and their son John Stephen Rencher, G.J. Graff, and great-grandson Tyler Austin Graff. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 1, 2023 at 12:00 noon in the old Rock Church, 75 E. Center Street, Cedar City, UT. Viewing prior to services 10:00-11:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery.

Family and friends who are unable to attend are invited to view the funeral service online by clicking on the link below.

https://zoom.us/j/92478167614?pwd=azdPNFpFckVpRGlqbWNEWVltME1iZz09 (https://zoom.us/j/92478167614?pwd=azdPNFpFckVpRGlqbWNEWVltME1iZz09) 

Meeting ID: 924 7816 7614

Pass code: 244018  (the link should include it and log you in without asking for it)

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Dorothy’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com