Leona Fannin Rowan

Leona Fannin was born in Salmon, Idaho on January 28, 1939, and passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of August 17, 2021, in Orem, Utah. Leona was the eldest of two children born to Delbert E Fannin and June Alberta Patten. Leona has younger brother, Gary Fannin. As a small child Leona and Gary lived on farms in Idaho where their father worked. During World War II the family moved to Portland, Oregon, where Delbert worked as a welder in the shipyards. After the war they returned to Idaho, eventually settling in Pocatello, where Leona went to high school. She was active in several high school clubs and participated in a local beauty pageant, which included riding atop a car in a parade!

After high school Leona worked in Yellowstone National Park and attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. She met her future husband, James Rowan, known as Jim, at Ricks. He was drafted into the Army and they continued their relationship through correspondence until he was able to return to a university in Utah. They rekindled their romance and were married on August 25, 1960 in the Idaho Falls, Idaho temple. Almost immediately afterward the couple moved to St. Louis, Missouri for Jim to attend dental school at Washington University.

The years living in St. Louis were challenging and rewarding ones for Leona. It was in St. Louis she gave birth to her first two children, James Junior and Laurie. After Jim graduated dental school the young family returned to Idaho while Jim prepared for examinations that would allow him to work as a dentist in several states. After he received his license, the young family moved to Merced, California to be near two of Jim’s brothers. It was in Merced that four more children were born to the couple: John, Lynley, Joseph, and Jerrod.

During her many years living in Merced, Leona pursued her university education. She was also involved in yearly Christmas productions at Merced College called The Festival of Lights, during which she sang or narrated the program. Leona was always interested in her Irish cultural heritage and performed Irish stories and songs to local groups. Leona performed for and taught art to elementary schoolchildren through a county program called ARTREE. She had a great love of music, art, and storytelling throughout her life. She traveled many times to great cathedrals and museums in Europe to see the art and architecture there.

Leona is survived by her brother Gary and sister-in-law Lorna, her six children: James Jr., Laurie, John, Lynley, Joseph, and Jerrod; her three daughters-in-law and two sons-in-law: Wendi, Greg, Miki, Allan, and Michelle; and grandchildren, Hannah, Victoria, Merrily, Camille, David, Anna, Chase, Megan, Annie, Chloe, and great-grandchild, Ryker.

There will be a viewing and family gathering at Larkin Mortuary, 3688 W 12600 S, Riverton, Utah, on Monday, August 23, 2021, 9:30-10:00 a.m. A short graveside service will take place at 11:00 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, between Springville and Mapleton, just west of Highway 89 at 1997 South 400 East. Directions to the cemetery are as follows: From I-15 take exit 260. Turn east and continue until you reach Main Street. Turn right (south) at Main Street. Remain in the right lane to go towards Mapleton (Highway 89). After about one mile turn right onto 400 East at 1700 South. This road will take you through the cemetery.

The graveside services were previously recorded and can be viewed here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/0zGptQKr99wLGNIwg6bEdRvViYYyfDS8jM4J7yQzAcSjjPemaUmA8GOzCzZdPOfp.qeDfRcFSPYMiyn2s?startTime=1629738707000