Events
Evening Viewing
Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, UT 84092Thursday Apr 18, 2024 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Viewing Prior to Services
2115 East Sublette Place, Sandy Utah.Friday Apr 19, 2024 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Irene Parehuia Ruru Teran, passed away peacefully in Murray, Utah on April 8, 2024, surrounded by loved ones after a difficult fight with cancer. She is survived by her husband (Bruce), her 5 children, Delwyn Crave (Paul), Keali’i Schreier (Haydee), Steve Schreier (Dawn), Richard Schreier (Beth), and Cory Teran (Rachel), her sister (Roimata Eva) and her many grandchildren. Irene was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and will be remembered for her unwavering faith and love for Jesus Christ and her family. She always treasured the opportunity to serve at the Draper Temple.
Irene was born on March 18, 1947, in Matamata, New Zealand to John and Kataraina Ruru. From her first breath, Irene was bold, defiant and adventurous. From a young age, she carved out her niche as one of 14 children living on the farm in Tirau. Her siblings were Gladys Gibson, Lena Rahiri, Mona New, John Ruru, Elizabeth Hunter, Shirley Gallichan, Nephi Ruru, Roimata Eva, Irene Ruru, Joseph Ruru, Norm Ruru, Logan Ruru, and Pricilla Sunnex. As she grew, she loved riding her horse, running track, and keeping her siblings in line. Irene was very proud of her Maori heritage. She was known for having many friends at Church College in New Zealand.
Life was challenging for Irene as she was widowed at the age of 24 with 4 children. While living in Hawaii she met Bruce while he was serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Two years later, in 1974, she was sealed in the Laie Hawaii Temple to Bruce and shortly after moved to Salt Lake City with their family.
While raising her family, Irene dreamed of starting a business in hopes to share the New Zealand spirit in her new home through imported sheepskin clothing. In 1986, she opened the Kiwi Sheepskin Shop in the Crossroads Mall. Later, she pursued a business career which included time as the controller at the Canyon Raquet Club/Jeremy Ranch where she was revered for her competitive spirit and attention to detail. She also spent time as the controller at Mountain America Credit Union where her colleagues considered her family, because she treated everyone as if they were.
Later in life she went back to school and graduated from the University of Utah with her Bachelor of Science in accounting. She finished her career working with Bruce at Teran and Co.
While residing in Hawaii, Irene was a certified scuba instructor and loved to be in the ocean. She was a club champion golfer in 2004 and 2009 at the Willow Creek Country Club. She was also a champion tennis player at the Canyon Raquet Club. She also loved to ski with her family.
Her love and devotion over the years allowed her to be seen as a beloved wife, mother, nana, and auntie. Mom always had a way of endearing herself to others through defending the defenseless, sharing her experiences, her warmth, or a hot meal. Her sweet soul cared for others as she served as a mother-figure to countless others.
Irene's journey was an example of perseverance, love, compassion, fire, and dedication. Her presence has always been a bastion of strength to us all and she will be deeply missed. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who knew and loved her. Memorial services will be held as follows:
Viewing: Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 6-8PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, located at 1950 East 10600 South Sandy Utah.
Funeral: Friday, April 19, 2024. Viewing from 9:30 to 10:45AM with funeral service to follow at 11:00AM located at 2115 East Sublette Place, Sandy Utah.
To watch the services virtually please click the blue "Watch Services" tab at the top of the obituary page.
Funeral Arrangements provided by Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, UT 84092
Guestbook/Condolences
Mom, you will always be my hero and guiding light. I love and miss you but grateful knowing that we are a forever family.
Thinking of all the whanau. Auntie Irene was the the most beautiful person and my dearest mum always spoke fondly of her beloved sis that lived on the other side of the world
RIP Irene
Kiaora,
My name is Stacey and I am the oldest moko (grandchild) of the late Joseph and Ivy Ruru. Joe was aunty Irene's brother, they grew up on the farm in their homestead in Tirau with their late mother Nanny Lena. My late grandfather always spoke about his siblings, all the happy times and all the misfit they got up too.
But every year we would recieve a letter from aunty Irene and uncle Bruce with a one dollar note. We looked forward to the letters because we got to hear about the family in Utah. Aunty always wrote about what the fanily did and how proud she was of the achievements of her children and grandchildren.
We still have the letters because they are taonga (a treasure)
Thank you aunty for thinking of us and for staying connected, we know it meant alot to our late grandfather - Koro Joe.
Moe mai ra - may you rest in peace aunty Irene
I will never forget the first time I met you my big gurl was 2 years old, dad asked for both you and uncle to came over and the first thing you said to me was your skinner than your cousin omg look Bruce look at how tinny she is, honestly aunty there were no words just thoughts of wondering who is my cousin as I had no idea who she was talking about. It was from that day aunty continued to send letters, cards about my cousin delwyne and how her grand babies were so big and in every letter she was so proud of my cousin and her grand babies. Then one year she phoned dad and said Golly I'm sending Kelly to you. I thought at first yes another gurl cuzzie then this tall long black haired guy turned up and well it was Kelly. Then a few more years went by and aunty came home again mum & dad wanted a special gift for you to take home so we went and saw one of the whaeas who works along side some of my other whanau who are cavers, it was from that mum chose a maaori designed platter. I remeber mum saying the glow on your face when you opened your gift and as you read the card tears fell from your eyes and you look at mum and dad and said my brother and sister how greatful I am to take a piece of home with me. And when they got home it was the first time in a long time dad sat me down and said you know gurl, I've never seen my sister cry like that and thank you for taking mum to select that gift it meant more to your aunty than I realised.
To my uncle and cousins I love you all so much aunty is no longer in pain may she rest in peace, you will be missed so much aunty just like your siblings you had a heart of gold which was undeniable to those you loved and those you cherished.
Love you aunty, love you to my cuzzies if you ever need a listening ear I'm here for you.
Kua hinga te totara i te wao nui a Tane
A totara is a huge tree that grows for hundreds of years. For one of them to fall is a great tragedy.
Sending our condolences to the family wish we could be there.
Irene’s sister Gladys was Neil mother and I’m sure she is waiting with open arms , love to all.
Xx
Bruce, So very sorry to hear about Irene’s passing. Sad she had to suffer with cancer. She was always such a lively, happy, compassionate and fun person. She will be missed. Our prayers are with you and your family…
We are unable to attend Irene’s services. We are babysitting kids in AZ (our home away from home). We will view her funeral on zoom, if it’s available.
All our love, sympathy and best wishes for comfort and peace! Love, Patti and Larry
My wife and send Our condolences in this very sad disheartening moment of your life. I've never met her, but she certainly was a wonderful companion for you from what I read. Hugs from Lynn and Mary Ann Keller.
We are so sad to loose our dear Irene and our hearts ache for you and your family. We have love your family for so many years and we admire you both Bruce and Irene. We love you and we mourn with you for your loss. Thankfully we have a hope that these heartaches of life will work for our good in the final analysis and we each look forward to a glorious reunion with those whom we are separated from in this mortality.
Irene was a dear friends and helped me as a starving student at the University of Hawaii and I will always have fond memories of Irene and her kids when she lived up in Kalihi valley. She truly helped me survive when times were hard and she showed me the love of God and true Māori kindness. I will be forever grateful to her and wish her and her family nothing but love on the occasion of her passing. God sped Irene. God sped good friend.
One of the few pleasures I looked forward to at tax time was visiting with Irene at the Teran & Co. office. I hope I didn’t overstay my welcome. I always carried some of the warmth of our conversation throughout my day. She will be missed by many in big and small ways.
To my most precious, loving and inspirational Aunty Irene. I am so grateful for everything you have lovingly done for me since I was a young child, when we all lived in New Zealand. When you relocated to the USA, I have loved every second of my visits with you and Uncle Bruce, Uncle Logan and my cousins in Salt Lake City, St George, Los Angeles and Wisconsin. I feel truly blessed to have so many beautiful memories to treasure, and which will continue to hold a special place in my heart and soul. I miss you, aunty!
To our dearest Uncle Bruce and cousins Delwyn, Keali’i, Steve, Richard and Cory and your families, our heartfelt condolences at the passing of your most beautiful shining light. Your family unit is bonded by a unique love for eternity, which I hope helps to ease your deep sorrow at this time and in the years to come.
With love always from Sharon and my beautiful family in Australia and New Zealand. xx
Our deepest sympathy and love for your family. The only thing that outweighs our sorrow is knowing the great joy of all the whanau greeting her on the otherside.
Love and prayer,
Chuck and Tanya
Bruce, God bless you and keep you during this hard time. We will all miss Irene and if you need anything please let me know.
It has been a blessing getting to know you aunty since living here in Utah. I would have loved more time with you. I loved hearing you laugh, talk, and growl just like my nana. You Ruru sisters are all the same with your cheeky laugh. Reminded me of my dad. I loved it! Even though we didn’t have too much time together aunty I cherished every visit. Thank you for your warm welcomes into your home uncle Bruce. Sorry but your still going to get me popping over…..
Ma te Atua hei manaaki, hei hikina I o koutou wairua i tenei wa.
Arohanui Whanau New, Whanau Winitana.
Vivacious, Friendly, Spiritual , Enthusiastic about Life, Loving, Caring. These are the words I would use to describe Irene. She is an amazing woman. To Bruce and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I could attend in person, but will be watching online. Love, LeeAnne, Bruce’s cousin.
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your wife, Irene. May she rest in peace, and her memory remain forever in her loving famiily’s hearts.
With our deepest sympathy,
Yvonne & Burt Woods
I am here in Il taking care of Dawn after her surgery. I watched the entire service & it was a beautiful tribute to Irene!. I offer my sympathy & prayers of comfort to Bruce & all the family. May our LORD JESUS CHRIST draw each heart closer to Him through this inspirational service & encourage each one to follow Him closely. With love, Gloria Galatians 2:20
I have been thinking of your family all year and just now found this post. I am sooo sorry to see this as I was hopeful of finding and visiting with Irene and Bruce. I also would love to re-connect with Del. My deepest condolences for your loss. I think this is why I have been thinking about your family this year. I have missed her contagious smile and laughter. Craigzimjr@gmail.com