Mary L. Draper Behra, 82, passed away on April 7, 2015.
Mary was born in Brentwood, California on May 8, 1932, to Jose Bruno Lopez Encinas and Mary Lopez Contreras. She married Kirk William Draper on October 10, 1950. After the death of her first husband in 1968, Mary married Clement Augustus "Gus" Behra on August 25, 1978. They were sealed in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on July 10, 1979. Gus passed away in 1987.
Mary loved Family History and was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She also loved to attend concerts at Brigham Park and at the Conference Center with friends and family. She was an active member of the Salt Lake 14th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was an enthusiastic greeter before Sacrament Meeting and loved to make all feel welcome. She served a full-time senior mission in the Missouri Independence Mission. Mary loved being of service to all who crossed her path.
She is survived by her four children: Nancy Carol Draper of Stafford, Virginia, Kirk William Draper II of San Diego, Joseph Mitchell Draper of Mesa and Laura Draper Sears of Houston, two step-sons, Robert and Jim Behra, two daughters-in-law, Janell and Bonnie Draper, a son-in-law, Joel Sears, 13 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, April 17, 2015, at the Salt Lake Stake, Stake Center located at 142 W. 200 N. in Salt Lake City, Utah 84103. Visitation by family members and friends will precede the funeral from 2 to 3 p.m. Graveside services will take place at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas.
