Laretta Roberts Dayton, peacefully returned to her heavenly home on Saturday, March 1, after a nearly six year battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Laretta was born on February 27, 1951, to Elbert (Bert) Walter Roberts and Bessie Elizabeth Dutson, in Ashton, Idaho. Laretta grew up in Ashton with her eight siblings: Ashley, Regena, Judy, Brenda, Keith, Jeff, Bruce and Rosemarie. They were her best friends, and they did everything together.

Laretta married V. David Dayton on June 21, 1968. Together they had five children: Kelly, Dina, Brett, Sarah and Tony. The couple later divorced.

As a young, single mother, Laretta wasn't sure which direction to go in life so she enrolled in the auto parts program at the Eastern Idaho Technical College in Idaho Falls. She often talked of what a fun time that was in her life. As fun as it was, working in auto parts was not to be her future. Through a series of small miracles and by following inspiration, she was able to get a job at Ricks College in 1978. That job was a huge blessing to her and to her children. At that time she also moved to Sugar City where she raised her family and lived for the remainder of her life. She worked at Ricks College/BYU-I for 28 years as a secretary/administrative assistant in the registration department, the financial aid department, and the career advising center.

In 2006, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and decided to retire to focus on her health. After beating ovarian cancer she went back to BYU-I, but this time as a student. School was not easy for her, but she worked really hard and received her bachelor's degree in University Studies in July of 2014. Following graduation, she worked at Sugar-Salem High School as a PSR (para). She loved her time there and connected really well with her students.

Laretta was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in many capacities, but her favorite callings were in the Cub Scouts and in the Primary organization. She also loved singing in the ward choir.

Laretta loved being active and was extremely creative. She loved dance, art, music, swimming, water aerobics, gardening, going on walks, sewing, and making quilts for all of her family members. She celebrated every holiday in some way, even the lesser celebrated holidays, like President's Day. Her very favorite thing was being with family, having family dinners, traveling to family reunions, and being with her grandchildren.

Laretta is survived by her children, Dina (Andy) Summers of Rexburg, Brett (Kimberly) Dayton of Salem, Oregon, Sarah Dayton of Sugar City, Tony (Jenna) Dayton of Salem, Idaho. Grandchildren: Tyler, Carson, Garett, Jaxon, Kelsi, Jyson, Jaydon, Ari, Rhett, Maeser, Asher, Isabella, Ace, and Tytanium. Siblings: Regena (Myron) Wood, Judy Dayton, Brenda Rigby, Keith (Judy) Roberts, Jeff (Lynette) Roberts, Rosemarie (Demar) Sharp, and two sisters-in-law Karen Kunic and Renell Hunter.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Kelly Dayton; her parents Bert and Bessie Roberts; her brothers, Ashley Roberts and Bruce Roberts; her nephew Brock Roberts; and two brothers-in-law, San Dayton and Rulon Rigby.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the Gray Church, located at 6 N Teton Ave., Sugar City, with Bishop Ian Luke of the Sugar City 4th Ward officiating. The family will receive friends and family Saturday from 9:00 to 9:45 AM, at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Wilford Cemetery.

Service will be broadcasted at: https://my.gather.app/remember/laretta-dayton