LaVee Heyborne

Jane LaVee Olds Heyborne was reunited with her husband, older siblings, and parents on the evening of December 30, 2025. Born to Levi Emanuel Olds and Katie Calkins Dodge Olds on December 7, 1932 in Kanarraville, Utah, LaVee spent the majority of her life in Cedar City. Her childhood years were spent surrounded by a large family and she had particularly fond memories of time spent at her Grandpa Dodge's house in Toquerville.

LaVee lost her mom in 1947, at the age of 15. It was around this time that she met her best friend and sweetheart Hal S Heyborne. They were married on July 18, 1948. That marriage was later solemnized in the St. George Temple in December of 1962 after Hal joined the LDS church. They were soon joined by daughter Sheila in 1949 while they were caring for LaVee's father who was suffering from a debilitating illness that took his life in 1950. That also left LaVee's youngest sister Yvonne in her and Hal's care. As a result, she would forever be known by the Heyborne children as "Auntie Sister." Their son Lyle joined the family in 1952 and the youngest, Jan in 1955.

An attentive, loving mother and homemaker, LaVee enjoyed crafting, quilting, cooking, and baking, and showed her love for others by feeding them. For many years she and Hal owned a farm in the valley and raised sheep and other livestock and always had a large garden. She was a master at preserving what they had grown and late summer days were often spent canning, freezing, drying, and butchering. She was a strong believer in being self-sufficient and took great pride in helping her children and grandchildren learn some of the same skills and attributes. Her family has fond memories of days spent on the farm, in the garden, and in the kitchen.

LaVee was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in a variety of roles, easily connected with young people and children and particularly loved her time serving in the primary. After their children were grown LaVee and Hal served together for over 20 years at the Cedar Care Center where they provided church services each Sunday. Their profound love for and service of the residents there were shared with their grandchildren, who when visiting were often called upon to speak, sing, and pass the sacrament. She loved easily and found joy in serving others. She continued to help support compassionate service needs in her neighborhood even late in life. She was often found in the kitchen making "meals for the elderly" when she herself was in her 80's.

LaVee's greatest joy in life was her family. A devoted daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother she enjoyed working and playing with those she loved most. Blessed with unending creativity and patience, she was a non-stop source of games, projects, and hairbrained schemes that children loved. From Easter egg hunts to themed birthday parties, crazy costumes, and farm animal parades, there was never a dull moment when Mom/Grandma/Granny was involved. She had so much love for children that when her own children and grandchildren were not around she adopted kids from the neighborhood. Additionally, her sister Yovonne's kids affectionately referred to her as Granny B and she was a surrogate grandmother for that entire clan. No one was denied Granny's treats, good-natured pranks, and fun stories. If you never had a chance to go on a Lion Hunt with Granny - you have not truly lived!

LaVee was also well known in the community. She worked for many years as a clerk and manager at several retail locations in town including Wolworth's, JC Penny, and Walmart. She was also a long-time volunteer with the Utah Shakespeare Festival and taught water aerobics for sufferers of arthritis for many years at the SUU pool. All resulted in lifelong friendships which she cherished until the end of her life.

The family wishes to thank all of the health care providers who worked so diligently to care for LaVee during the last months of her life. They also wish to thank the many friends and relatives who were quick to return the Christ-like service that LaVee had so readily given to others. It meant so much to her. A special thank you goes to the staff at All Season's Senior Living and Alliance Home Health and Hospice, especially Ethan Bunker, who were so attentive to LaVee's needs during her final days.

Survivors include her children Sheila (Paul) Flatt, Lyle, and Jan (Mike) Worthen, 12 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. Her sister Yvonne, alive at the time of her passing, joined her in the next life on January 2, 2026. She was preceded in death by her sweetheart Hal, her parents, ten siblings, her daughter-in-law, Marj, and one great-granddaughter.

Services will be held on Saturday, January 10th at 11:00 am at the Greenslake Chapel (1120 W Greenslake Dr, Cedar City). A viewing will be held that same morning from 9:30-10:30 am. Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery, under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be sent at www.mortuary.org. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in LaVee's name at Primary Children's Hospital.