After a long, brave battle with cancer, (Agness) LaDon Saunders Jorgensen died Wednesday, Feb. 21 at the age of 87. She passed in the company of her children, who were aiding in her care so that she could end her days, as she wished, at home with family. LaDon was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and demonstrated her deep faith by her actions. She never uttered a single unkind word about anyone, and lived fully the commandment to love your neighbor, which to her was everyone. Her children can barely remember a single holiday meal that didn't include someone else far from home or with no family to celebrate with. Much of what she grew in her enormous garden, she gave away. When she made a pie or bread for her family, she made others to take to neighbors. 

She loved nature and the outdoors. On walks in the mountains she could name every bird, tree, plant and bug. Her curiosity was boundless and she was a lifelong learner. 

One of her sisters summed her up this way: "LaDon was a go-getter, always going fast, always busy helping others. If you knew her you knew she cared about you." 

LaDon was born to Gilbert & Cary Saunders on May 29, 1936 in Logan, Utah and was raised on a farm in College Ward. She attended South Cache High School and took many extended education classes. She became proficient in ASL and interpreted for many years. In her youth besides working on the farm she worked as a seamstress in the Logan Knitting Mill. In 1955, while playing in a softball game, she was spotted by a childhood friend, Ross Jorgensen, just home from the Korean War. He offered her a ride home. They were married Dec. 21, 1955 in the Logan LDS Temple. 

After Ross died from cancer in 1996, she served a mission to the Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She later remarried to Hugh Lyle, a long-time and much beloved friend of the family. Together they served a mission in Roseville, California. 

Ross and LaDon's children survive her, including Kirk, Brett (Sandy), Chuck, Chris (Susan), Kathy (Quentin) Dally and Shelece (Troy Himes) Jorgensen, along with children of the heart; Mike (Val) Wilde, Linda (Jim) Wilson and Patty (Jack) Chung. There are also -- too numerous to count -- grandchildren, great-grandchildren, Native American students, foreign-exchange students, foster kids and people who just needed a place to stay. 

LaDon is survived by her siblings Reed (Bobbi) Saunders, Steven (Sue) Saunders, Karma (Glenn) Waite, David (Margaret) Saunders and Darla (John) Loveland. She was preceded in death by siblings Gilbert Saunders, Jack Saunders and Karen Basset. 

The family offers a special thanks to CNS Home Health & Hospice and the amazing nurses and CNA's LaNae, Holly, Michelle and especially loved Debbie Kimber.

A viewing will be held Monday, Feb. 26th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church in Wellsville at 660 South 100 West. A second viewing will be held there Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 with a funeral at noon.