Ann Leslie Ward

On June 25, 2022, Ann Leslie Ward, 84 years old, went home to her spirit paradise enjoying picnics held beneath beautiful rainbows, enjoying daily root beer floats and S'mores when she isn't at the wheel of a big shiny blue truck, roaming the beautiful countryside in search of frolicking baby lambs.

Born August 15th, 1937 in Fairview, UT, Ann was blessed and baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Ann moved to Wendover, NV, during WWII when she was 6, then moved to Elko, NV when she was 8, and graduated from Elko High School. In her youth, she worked at the local movie theatre, participated in school and church activities, learned to tap dance and was a talented baton-twirling majorette for the Elko High School band. She met and married Stanley LaRoque. She attended Elko Community College and earned a Certificate in Accounting, placing at the top of her class. In her thirties, Ann married George Ward and moved to Redding, CA, with 5 of 8 kids in tow, eventually landing in Medford, OR, to be closer to family during retirement.

Ann was a beauty through and through. She was a dignified, fearless, hardworking, and intelligent lady who lived her life with beauty and grace. She was genuine, authentic, accepting of others, funny, dedicated, loving and artistic. She loved her grandchildren, her cat Pia, her dogs Buffy 1 and Buffy 2, hobby trains, crossword puzzles, books, sewing, crocheting, crafts, and lunch dates with her friends and daughters. Her Christmas trees and train layouts were truly Good Housekeeping-worthy. In business, she was multi-talented, working as a bookkeeper, Mary Kay consultant, and enjoyed her many years as server & manager at the IHOP in Redding. Because she found retirement boring, she managed the Food & Friends meal site in Jacksonville, OR, before finally actually retiring for the 3rd and last time at age 79. She met many new friends there and loves and watches over them from her rainbow paradise. Ann was dedicated to those she worked for and with at every job she held, always going above and beyond the call of duty.

Ann, a.k.a. Grannie Annie, showed up to as many of her grandchildren's births, soccer and football games, band concerts, karate demonstrations, parade marches, and dance recitals as she possibly could.

Ann is loved forever and ever by her husband George, her two eldest sons, Forrest La Rocque and Martin La Roque, her grandson Jerod Kofford, her parents, Lester and Faun Madsen, her brothers, Gene and Les, all of whom are already in paradise. Ann is survived by her younger brother, David Madsen, and her six remaining children, Stana Petrasek, Leslie Huckell, Sheli Moscrop, Lindy Boyersmith, Darion Ward, and Sandi Morton. A special shout out to her extra special sons-in-law, Steve Boyersmith, Tim Morton, Robert Moscrop, and Alan Petrasek, for always being there for her in matters of life and death.

Ann is loved and missed deeply by her best-best friend in life, Fran, along with her more recent best friends Shane, Bernie, and Marilyn, among a plethora of others who were lucky enough to be cherished by Ann and those who loved her in return for her contribution to their lives.

For those who wish to celebrate her life and to attend, Ann's family is hosting a Celebration of Life to be held outdoors, September 16, 2022, at 2:30 pm, at Cedar Links Park, 3101 Cedar Links Drive, in Medford, OR. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your local Meals on Wheels or Animal Hospital. Ann's favorite was Jacksonville Veterinary Hospital.