Leland Dean Westenskow

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Leland “Dean” Westenskow, 86, passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2021.

Dean was born April 20, 1935 in the Westenskow family home in the beautiful Grand Rounde Vally of Eastern Oregon in Imbler to Jacob Lamar Westenskow and Julia Lucile McClune Westenskow.

He attended Imbler schools graduating from Imbler High School in 1955 where he participated in all sports, government and drama. He was the student body president his senior year. He also participated in FFA where he raised rabbits.

He lived on the family farm and was heavily involved in raising crops and cattle.

Dean loved his family, his schools and the Imbler community.

After graduation, he attended Brigham Young University where he graduated in 1960 with a B.S. in agronomy and animal husbandry. He later earned his teaching certificate at the Eastern Oregon College in LaGrande, Oregon.

While at BYU, he met Marilyn Jenson, also a BYU student who lived two doors down. Following Marilyn’s graduation from BYU, the couple married on July 10, 1959, in the Idaho Falls Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple. They lived in Imbler, Corvallis, and Enterprise, Oregon, before moving to Soda Springs, Idaho, where Dean taught school, and Marilyn worked as a nurse. In 1967, the couple moved to Pocatello where Dean worked at Franklin Jr. High School and later Firth High School.

In 1968, following the death of Marilyn’s father, Donald S. Jenson, Dean took over the family farm which he continued to do so for 15 years. In the 1980s, he went to work for Simplots and worked there for 20 years. After retiring from Simplot’s, he worked as a substitute teacher for District 25 well into his 70s.

Dad was a perpetual student learning everything and anything he could. He enjoyed reading and studying The Book of Mormon, studying WWII events, other historic events, agriculture and science. He took numerous extension courses from Utah State and BYU for many years. One Grandchild once asked when he would graduate. Dad was always eager to pick up a new book to read and to underline the important parts with his marker. He was a longtime member of New Knowledge Adventures.

Dad was born to work the soil, and he loved his “South 40” acreage in Tyhee. Every year he grew a huge garden that he shared with family and friends. He also raised cattle and Big Red was a favorite. Dad would walk out to the South 40, and Big Red would see him coming. Big Red would back up, toss his head from side to side, and paw at the ground looking as if he were going to charge at Dad. Then Big Red would walk slowly up close to the fence waiting for Dad to take the garden hoe and scratch between Big Red’s ears.

Dad always accurately predicted the weather. He was constantly taking pictures with his old crank camera and refused to go digital. He always enjoyed family get togethers and attended all his children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities.

Dad was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He never met a stranger and made friends quickly. He lived his religion by helping anyone in need. He opened his door to people who came by for help late at night or people walking along the road trying to get home.

Dad lived an honorable life and was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Dad adored his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Dad was preceded across the Heavenly Veil by his parents; siblings: Winona Darling, Donald Westenskow, Rowain Westenskow, Myrtha Fields, Pete Westenskow, Betty Metcalf, Lowell Westenskow and his granddaughter Cathrine Fisher.

Dad is survived by his loving bride of 62 years, Marilyn; his siblings: Mary Anne and Jim Cox, Nampa; Carolyn Franks, Kaysville, Utah; and Joe and Beverly Westenskow, Elk, Washington; his children: Vicki and Dallen Fisher; Lisa and Jeff Smith, Julie and David Hall, and Paul Westenskow. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Ben and Erica Dayley, Elizabeth and Jason Stock, Alicia and John Nguyen, Monette and Mark Dahle, Kamie and Nathan Broadhead, Michael Fisher, Trina Fisher, Josh Hall, Jacob and Jensen Hall, Jared Hall and Jenna Hall. Dean is survived by 14 great-grandchildren.

The Westenskow family extends deepest thanks to Dr. Andersen, Dr. Morales and the Portneuf Cancer Center and Hospital. They also want to thank family, friends, ward members who have been so helpful.

A viewing will be held on Saturday June 19, 2021 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Bringhurst LDS Chapel, 140 Bringhurst St, Chubbuck, ID 83202. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with graveside services at 12:30 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery.

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