Ann V. Wood

1944 - 2025

Ann Van Leuven Wood, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 6, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was 81 years old. Born on July 1, 1944, to Bessie Dora and Vail E Van Leuven, Ann was raised on a humble dairy farm as the oldest of eight children. From an early age, she learned the value of hard work, responsibility, and caring for others; these qualities shaped her entire life. On March 24, 1962, Ann married her first husband, Walter Darle Paige, who gave her the gift of three beautiful children. On November 28, 1970, she married her love and second husband, Richard Don Wood. They shared a loving marriage that lasted just shy of 55 years. Together, they raised wonderful children and helped raise two grandchildren and two great grandchildren, building a life centered on love and family. Ann had a lifelong love of art and was a talented painter who worked in oils, watercolors, and other mediums. She was a proud president of the Valley Art Guild and loved painting, especially with her guild friends and grandkids. Her creativity and artistic eye were reflected not only in her paintings, but in the way she approached life with beauty, color, and care.

Ann was also known for her vast areas of expertise. She had a math mind and often helped everyone in her family with math homework, including her college kids. She was skilled with medicine and regiments, loved plants and identifying them, in the outdoors (especially going to Island Park), bird watching, traveling, playing pinochle with her friends and grandkids, and she was a master with photography and computers before most others. She was never afraid to try, learn, or to fail, and that courage inspired everyone who knew her. She also used her intelligence and competence to help people in her community. She loved her time spent as a relief society president and was so proud of being a boy scout leader. She had a gift for showering love on the people who needed it the most. She was a true leader. Ann will be remembered for her warmth, determination, loyalty, strength, and deep devotion to her family. She created a home filled with laughter, learning, and love; a legacy that will live on through generations.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bessie Dora and Vail E Van Leuven, and her two grandsons, William Scott Hardy and Camden Blaise Gratiot, and great grandson, Kairo Angel Acevedo. She is survived by her devoted husband, Richard Don Wood, her children; Karl Paige (Teresa), Joe Jones (Nikki), Karlene Hardy (William), Rita Saurey (Floyd), Rebecca Wood (Brian), Donna Gratiot (Wade), and Marcie Beachler (Lael), 26 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Jim Van Leuven (Mary), Jerry Van Leuven (Krystal), Jay Van Leuven (Pam), Diane Hook (Lester), Kent Van Leuven (Laura), Vicki Walton (Lloyd), Margaret Sketlton (Glenn), and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will miss her dearly. Ann's life was one of love, creativity, and faith. Her example of quiet strength, kindness, and lifelong learning will continue to bless those who were fortunate enough to know and love her. A viewing will be held on Saturday, October 11, at 9:45-10:45 a.m. with the funeral to follow at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in Roberts, Idaho. Burial will be at the Annis Little Butte Cemetery following the funeral. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com