Nedra Marie Vandruff Chapman Lara's Obituary
Nedra Marie Vandruff Chapman Lara
March 16, 1930 – July 22, 2025
Our beloved matriarch, Nedra Marie Vandruff Chapman Lara, returned to the loving arms of our Father in Heaven on the morning of July 22, 2025. She passed away peacefully at home in South Jordan, Utah, surrounded by her family.
Nedra lived a full and extraordinary 95 years. A life defined by faith, love, service, and strength. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother whose gentle spirit and Christlike light touched all who knew her. To be loved by Nedra was to know warmth, kindness, and unwavering support.
Nedra was born on March 16, 1930, in LaJara, Colorado, to good and faithful parents, Hershel Ray Vandruff and Bertha E. Becher. She was raised on a small family farm alongside her siblings, Ray, Patricia, Wilma, and Doris. Nedra learned early the value of hard work, humility, and gratitude. These virtues would define her character and guide her throughout her life.
In 1948, she met the love of her life and eternal companion, Elbert Archie Chapman. They were married on November 14, 1948, and later sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple on April 25, 1950. Together, they built a beautiful life rooted in faith and family. Nedra was a loving and devoted mother to their four children: Tom Chapman (Nina), Lorraine Rowzee (Michael), Bob Chapman (Linda), and Cynthia Tai (Maunaloa). Her children, and the generations that followed, were the joy of her life.
In 2008, Nedra experienced a heartbreaking loss with the passing of her beloved Elbert. Though her heart mourned, she carried on with grace and strength, continuing to be the steady, faithful presence her family needed. Together, they set an example of enduring love and faith, a legacy that lives on in their posterity.
Nedra found great purpose and joy in being a grandmother, and her legacy continues through her 19 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren, each of whom she loved deeply and prayed for faithfully. She knew them by name, celebrated their milestones, and often greeted them with a warm embrace and a batch of her homemade cookies, just one of the many ways she showed her love.
Nedra had a remarkable gift for nurturing, both in the garden and in the home. She was a talented gardener, finding peace in nature and beauty in tending to flowers and plants. Her baking was legendary, and she passed down cherished recipes and skills to generations that followed. Whether teaching a grandchild how to bake her delicious zucchini bread and chocolate chip cookies, or kneeling beside them during prayer, she was always present, intentional, and full of grace. Nedra’s love for beauty and comfort extended far beyond baking and gardening. As a successful Home Interiors representative, she found joy in helping others transform their houses into homes. She made dear friendships through her work and left an impression on countless homes with her eye for detail and her gift for creating warm, inviting spaces. This love for creating beauty lives on through her children and grandchildren, each of whom carries her same creative spark.
Her presence at family milestones, birthdays, graduations, weddings, and holidays, was a treasured constant. And when she couldn’t attend in person, she always made a heartfelt phone call to mark the occasion. Each family member, no matter how young or old, knew they were remembered and loved. Time spent with her was sacred because she made it so. She was always engaged, always listening, always fully giving of herself.
In 2016, Nedra married Pat Lara. They spent several years together in Colorado, enjoying companionship, traveling and the simple joys of each other’s company.
She returned to Utah in her final season of life, surrounded by the love and care of her children and grandchildren.
Nedra was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She lived her testimony through quiet acts of service, kindness, and charity. Her home was a sanctuary; peaceful, welcoming, and always filled with love. She spent many years serving in multiple church callings in Primary and as Relief Society President. Both Nedra and Elbert served as Missionaries at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City for 3 years. They treasured the blessed opportunity to serve together. For over 19 years they spent every week diligently serving as Ordinance Workers in the Jordan River Temple. Nedra found extraordinary strength in her Savior, Jesus Christ. Her legacy of faith, sacrifice, and unconditional love will live on through the lives of all who were blessed to know her.
Though our hearts ache in her absence, we rejoice in knowing she is reunited with loved ones who went before—especially her eternal companion, Elbert. We find comfort in the promise that families are forever and we will see her again.
Her family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to all those who cared for and supported her throughout her long and beautiful life. She was the heart of our family; our anchor, our teacher, our angel.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday August 2, 2025 at
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Highland Stake Center
10227 S. 4000 W.
South Jordan, UT
84009
Viewing Service
10:00am - 10:45am
Funeral Service
11:00am - 12:00pm
Burial at 2:30pm
Valley View Cemetary
4335 W. 4100 S.
West Valley City, UT 84120
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