Denise Whaley Obituary

Denise Ream Whaley, 94, died peacefully on July 9, 2025, surrounded by family, at the home of her daughter, Melanie Bastian in Larkspur, Colorado. She was born on September 18, 1930, in Montpelier, Idaho to John Rodney Ream and Norma Ida Volker Ream.
She married Shelby Lynn Whaley, August 26, 1952, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and they were later sealed in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Logan Temple. He preceded her in death on February 14, 1982.
She attended Elementary School in Dingle Idaho, High School in Montpelier, Idaho, graduating at the age of 17, she then attended the University of Utah where she obtained her bachelor's degree in Home Economics in 1952.
Denise went on to teach sewing, tailoring and pattern drafting at Emily Griffith Tech College in Colorado, followed by many years in the retail sales industry, retiring in 1996.
Her life was rooted in love and service. Some of her community and church service included AARP driver instructor training, family history volunteer and Denver Temple worker for greater than twenty years in each service.
She loved to travel the world with family and as an active member of the Friendship Force International, which connects different cultures through home-hosting and travel experiences. She would meticulously choose special gifts to give to those she met traveling and developed a deep appreciation for the wide spectrum of diverse traditions she experienced.
Denise acknowledged she was the most difficult child for her parents to raise. She was very determined, strong willed and straight forward. True to her Ream heritage!
She was known for facing her struggles and fears, rather than avoiding them, with her strong resilience and desire to overcome and rise above difficult situations.
Some examples: She had a lifelong fear of snakes, but recently when her great-nephew, Scout, asked her to hold his pet snake, seconds later the snake was draped around her shoulders, as she gently patted it. Denise had a fear of heights which she never overcame, but was determined to still experience, even when her only option was to look up or close her eyes, whether it was on a horse going up steep trails in Idaho or as a passenger in their 2-wheel station wagon 4-wheeling in the mountains of Colorado with Shelby.
Lifelong learning experiences enriched her life through reading, continued educational studies and application which included design and creation in the areas of clothing, jewelry, ceramics, and pottery.
She was skilled in and enjoyed computer use. Her desire for education directed and supported two sons through medical school and one son his law degree. She developed a math program for her youngest son, Gregg, which he currently continues to follow and study.
Denise was devoted to her family as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. After the death of her husband, she became the anchor of her family through love, example, advice, prayers and support both individually and collectively. Her devotion continues to sustain her family based on the knowledge of what is most important, her Savior, Jesus Christ and His Gospel.
Denise is survived by her sister, Elisabeth (Teddy) Wood, brother- In-law Dean Wood; her 4 children Melanie Bastian, Kevin (Julee), Brad (Suzy), Gregg Whaley, daughter-in-law Elizabeth Silva Whaley, 13 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents, brothers, sister and their spouses, Winston Dale Ream (Eleanor), John Rodney Ream, Jr. (Jane), Joan Ream Bunderson (Floyd), husband Shelby, son Glenn, son-in-law Rock Bastian, grandson Lane Bastian.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 16th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Cherry Hills (999 East Tufts Avenue, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado 80113). A visitation will be held at 10am with the funeral following at 11am. The interment will take place Friday, July 18, 2025 at 11:00 am at Ream Family Vault in Dingle Cemetery, Dingle, Idaho.