LaVon H Lancaster

LaVon Hillstead Lancaster was born June 18, 1933, in Smoot, Wyoming to Noah and Jean Hillstead in her grandmother’s home.  She was the fourth of ten children and grew up in Fairview where she attended grade school.  She graduated from Star Valley High School in 1952.  After working in Salt Lake City, she returned to Star Valley and married her high school sweetheart, Leslie Delano Lancaster, February 10, 1953, in the Logan, Utah Temple. They lived in Smoot and worked as equal partners on their ranch their entire married life. Their family included eleven children.

In 1995 she was chosen as Wyoming’s Mother of the Year.  She was honored by the governor and represented Wyoming at the National Convention in New York City.

LaVon was a kind and gentle person.  She spent her life in service to her family, church and friends.  She played the piano and enjoyed good music. She was an avid reader and had a large collection of books. LaVon liked baking and made delicious treats, especially cinnamon rolls which she liberally shared with others.  She enjoyed watching sports that her family participated in and was a fan of the Utah Jazz. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend and will be deeply missed by all. She died July 14, 2022, at her home on Lancaster Lane in Smoot.

She is proceeded in death by her husband Delano and two sons, Kreg and Leslie. Also, her daughter-in-law Joan Jensen Lancaster and parents George Noah Hillstead and Jean Taggart. Siblings: Verla Ashment, Ruth Roundy, Robert, Lawrence, Richard, John, and Heber Hillstead.

She is survived by nine children: Robert (Joanne), Colette (Ravell Call), Terrie (Art Tenney), Larry (Venice), Tim (Paula), Art, Dallin (Rhonda), Leesa (Ty Campbell), Marlin (Angie), thirty-eight grandchildren, seventy great grandchildren, her brother George Hillstead and sister Jane Taylor.