LaNore Leavitt Barnes

LaNore Leavitt Barnes was born in Cardston, Alberta, Canada on the 18th of October, 1931. Her parents, Owen and Rosa Leavitt took her home to live on their farm in the prairie town of Glenwood. She was greeted there by an older brother, Owen Montayne Leavitt.  She was also preceded by two infant brothers, Garth and Jordan, who passed away shortly after birth. She was a beloved and welcome addition to the family. Ten years later her sister Andrea Jeanene was born to complete their family. When LaNore was 14 the family moved to the warmer, friendlier climate of Long Beach, California. It was there that she met the love of her life, Dean Arthur Barnes. They both attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School. Following graduation Dean attended BYU and LaNore’s family moved to Solvang, California.

 After a short long-distance relationship Dean and LaNore married on April 7, 1952 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Thus they began their own family. Shortly after marriage Dean was drafted into military service with the US Army and sent to Kaiserslautern, Germany. This left LaNore at home without a husband. To fill in the void she decided to serve a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the East Central States Mission. She served for 17 months in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee and a small corner of West Virginia. When Dean was discharged after 18 months LaNore was released from her mission to return home to her husband.        

                                                                                             
They made their home in Long Beach, California where Dean began working for American Linen. This job necessitated them moving several times during his career. In 1955 their daughter Thayne was born and in 1957 their daughter Lynne joined the family. LaNore and Dean moved to Bountiful, Utah where their son Cameron Dean Barnes was born in 1964. LaNore found joy in her life as a wife, mother and homemaker. In 1968 the family moved to the beautiful tropical town of Kailua, Hawaii where they lived for 5 years. From Hawaii they moved to Northbrook, Illinois for two years and then back to Utah in 1975 to set up residence in Uintah, Utah. 

In 1987 Dean and LaNore were called to serve as Mission President of the Charleston, West Virginia Mission. This was close to the area LaNore had served as a married sister missionary in their early marriage. They greatly loved the missionaries, the kind people, and culture of West Virginia. Following that mission they returned home to Uintah for a few years until they were called to serve as Visitor Center Directors at the Oakland Temple for two years. This was another opportunity they enjoyed, serving with other missionaries and learning to love the people they greeted each day. Upon arrival home they began their service as missionary hosts at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. This was an assignment they held for 17 years. LaNore served a total of four official missions for the Church. She happily filled many church callings in the wards and stakes wherever she lived. LaNore loved opportunities to serve her friends, neighbors and ward members throughout her life. 

In 2002 LaNore and Dean made one more move to Farmington Utah. They have loved living there among dear friends and neighbors. LaNore was gifted at making friends with people of all ages both old and young. She showed genuine interest in others. Those who knew her enjoyed her positive outlook on life, sense of humor, compassion, willingness to serve and caring conversations. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, was a hostess at the Beehive House in SLC and loved her years of association with her sewing group friends. LaNore was very industrious with her hands and produced myriads of beautiful patchwork quilts, stunning counted cross-stitched pieces and other types of needlework throughout her life.                                             
In her last months of life she was tenderly cared for by loving hospice nurses and CNAs at Whisper Cove. We will be forever grateful for them and all the devoted ward family, friends and neighbors who so thoughtfully came to lift and support both LaNore and Dean during her ‘graduation’ process.  LaNore is survived by husband, Dean, 3 children, Thayne (Craig) Orgill, Lynne (Mark) Hamp, Cameron (Liz) Barnes and her sister Andrea (Marlow) Wootton. Twelve grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren have blessed her life and she blessed their lives in return. She was preceded in death by her father Owen, mother Rosa, brother Montayne (Shirley), and brothers Garth and Jordan. She peacefully passed away on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 having lived a full, loving and beautiful life. 

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 6, at 11 am in the Shepard Creek Ward LDS Church building at 1533 N. 1075 W. Farmington, Utah. A viewing will be held on Monday, September 5, from 6-8 pm at Russon Mortuary located at 1941 N. Main St. Farmington, Utah. A viewing will also be held prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Shepard Creek Building.

Interment will be at the Farmington City Cemetery. Luncheon will be served to family with gratitude to the Shepard Creek Relief Society.

For those wishing to attend virtually, the Shepard Creek Ward has provided the following link to view services:

https://youtu.be/2rzIUxiFfzg