Deanna Isabelle LeBarron

Deanna Isabelle LeBarron, born December 10, 1938, in Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at her home in Worland, Wyoming, on March 10, 2026.

The youngest of twelve children of Norwegian immigrants Harold and Olga Hovland, Deanna grew up an avid reader, an athletic and quick-witted young woman who played basketball whenever she could despite the lack of girls’ sports at her high school. She met her future husband, Bill LeBarron, at seventeen in the local library when she boldly asked him to a sockhop. She went on to study English at the University of Minnesota, working at a laundromat to pay her tuition. Deanna and Bill married on June 11, 1960, at Saint Olaf’s Lutheran Church in Austin. Their daughter Leslie Reene arrived in 1961, followed by son Jeffrey William in 1962.

Bill’s career with the Bureau of Land Management took the family across the country, living in several California towns, multiple Wyoming communities, and Washington, D.C., before they settled permanently in Worland. Deanna worked in school districts in Redding, Susanville, and Worland, but found her greatest professional fulfillment as an educator and librarian at Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs. She remained active and adventurous throughout her life, enjoying tennis, snow skiing, and hiking the Grand Canyon at age 65.

After retirement, Deanna devoted her days to gardening, reading, and playing cards with friends. She cherished her collection of antiques, red furniture, blue-and-white plates, flower paintings, and Norwegian keepsakes. She served on the Worland library board and foundation, belonged to PEO, and sang in church choirs at the United Methodist Church, where she found a warm community. A spirited grandmother, she delighted in teaching her granddaughters games, competing fiercely yet good-naturedly at Rummikub, dominoes, and cards, and encouraging playful mischief.

Deanna is survived by her husband of 65 years, Bill LeBarron; daughter Leslie Basse and son-in-law Brad Basse of Thermopolis, Wyoming; son Jeffrey LeBarron and daughter-in-law Tere LeBarron of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren Andrea Henderson (Matthew) of Boise, Idaho, Sarah Leddige (Luke) of Nampa, Idaho, Madeline LeBarron of Himeji, Japan, and Marissa LeBarron of Los Angeles, California; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her eleven siblings. Her family will remember her no-nonsense spirit, her love of dirty limericks, her hilarious stories, her annual winter visits to Tucson, and the deep love she held for them all. She often described her life as a great adventure.