LullaBelle "Dudie" Lavonne Moots

LullaBelle “Dudie” Moots was born on March 29, 1934, to Sidney and Edna Barker in Lamberton, Minnesota, and was called to rest on May 19, 2025, in Moyie Springs, Idaho. She was one of the youngest of twelve siblings and the last surviving member of her family.

She married Richard Moots in 1950, and together they shared nearly 74 years of marriage before he preceded her in death in 2023. Together, they raised seven children: Arlyn, Robbin, Debbie, Dawn, Reid, Brent, and Holly. She was a devoted and loving “Mother, Ma, or Mom” to her children, a cherished Grandma to 11 grandchildren, and a sweet and gentle Great-Grandma to 22 great-grandchildren.

Along with her family, she spent many years living in Oregon, where she worked hard cleaning houses and instilled the value of hard work in her children—often alongside them in the berry fields. They retired to Montana in 1996 and then to Idaho in 2019.

Dudie was a Seventh-Day Adventist for most of her life, and her faith was woven into every part of her life. She began each morning with worship and prayer, and her favorite passage-Psalm 91- was one she knew by heart. Her deep belief was evident in her actions, her kindness, and her generosity. She was a huge part of the Dorcas quilt group for most of her adult life, often sewing baby blankets to give to those in need. Each of her children and grandchildren were blessed to receive one of her hand-sewn quilts-treasures stitched with love.

We will forever miss her homemade “buns,” that she baked faithfully each week. The comforting aroma of fresh bread often filled her home, welcoming anyone who stepped into her home. Her cookie jar was rarely empty, filled with homemade cookies-a small but sweet sign of love she gave so freely. Her potato salad, dill pickles, and a wide variety of canned goods were staples in the Moots home; there was no chance of going hungry with Dudie around. Her favorite summertime treat was watermelon, a simple joy she enjoyed up to the very end.

She could run circles around most people. Always on the move, she took pride in a tidy home, worked tirelessly in her vegetable garden, and lovingly tended to her favorite flowers, Geraniums and Million Bells. She made use of nearly every fruit or vegetable she grew or was given. If she wasn’t cooking or baking, you’d likely find her reading in her chair, working on a puzzle, or enjoying Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy.

Dudie had an incredible knack for figuring out life’s little (and big) dilemmas. She was endlessly resourceful, always coming up with a clever solution to fix something or help someone in need. Whether it was a sewing repair, a recipe tweak, or wise advice, she had a gift for making things better quietly, humbly, and from the heart.

She held our family together with her love and quiet strength. Though she is gone, her spirit remains in every memory, every tradition, and every act of love we share.

A Celebration of Life for Dudie will be held on July 10, 2025, at 11:00 am at the Bonners Ferry Seventh-day Adventist Church. All are welcome to attend.