Santa Clara, Utah – Charmaine Ray Frei, 93, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her four loving daughters on June 8, 2023. She was born November 2, 1929, to Joseph F. Ray and Leona Stucki Ray in her Uncle George and Aunt Bertha Graff's home in Santa Clara, Utah (now known as "Uncle & Aunties" by the community).

Charmaine married her cowboy sweetheart Clayton Hafen Frei on June 21, 1957, in Santa Clara. They were later sealed as a family in the St. George Temple on June 10, 1965.

Charmaine was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; her greatest joy was her family.  In her mind she couldn't separate the two. She was educated in a two-room schoolhouse in Santa Clara, attended Dixie High School/College and then completed her bachelor's degree in elementary education from BYU. She was known as a good cook; many people have been lucky to be recipients of her homemade bread and cookies. She became known as the "Cookie Grandma."

Her church service included Jr. Sunday School, Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society, but the highlight for her was serving for 13 years in the St. George Temple. At the time of her passing she was still actively serving as a ministering sister.

Mom and Dad created a home full of love where everyone was welcomed and well fed! We learned to work by their side and follow their example. We always knew mom's prayers were being offered in our behalf. Nothing was more important to her than her family. After almost 20 years since dad's passing, she's now back in his strong arms.

She is survived by her daughters: Cheri (Ed) Walker, Cindy Frei, Claudia (Matt) Elliott and Cecily (Erik) Sorensen; grandchildren: Brian (Rachel) Walker, Jeff (Crystal) Walker, Crimson Elliott, Krista Elliott, Thor Sorensen, Preston Sorensen and Nikolas Sorenson; and great-grandchildren: Leah Walker, Annie Walker, Lucy Walker, Tyler Walker, Alex Walker, Andrew Walker, Carter Walker and Adam Walker.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in the Santa Clara Stake Center, 3040 Santa Clara Drive, Santa Clara, Utah. Visitations will be held Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah and on Saturday, prior to services, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Stake Center. Interment will be in the Santa Clara City Cemetery located at 950 Ancestor Way.

Charmaine Frei Funeral Service Program