Leona Beard

Leona Hill Beard, a lifelong resident of Teton Valley, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on Monday, November 2, 2026, at Homestead Assisted Living in St. Anthony, Idaho. Leona was born in Driggs, Idaho, on September 12, 1936, the daughter of the late Robert Melvin Hill, and Mary Stuart Hill. Growing up as a farmer's daughter on the family homestead in Darby. Leona learned the value of hard work early in life. Throughout her youth she was actively involved in the LDS church. She cherished childhood memories with her sisters, brothers and neighbors, of Saturday taffy pulls and winter sledding. These close friendships made growing up in Darby especially happy. She attended local schools in Teton Valley. On November 12, 1953, she married James William "Billy" Beard at her parents' home in Darby. Following their marriage, they settled up South Leigh Canyon on the Joseph Beard family ranch to live full-time.

Together, Leona and Billy raised five children on the ranch nestled next to Targhee National Forest. Leona helped with many aspects of the ranch, working tirelessly in the fields, driving the tractor and tending to her household's daily needs. Her days were filled with lovingly caring for her large family and keeping a tidy home. Before the family had indoor plumbing and electricity, Leona would help pack water from the ditch or creek to heat for bathing kids, cooking, or doing wash on the ringer-washer. She worked alongside her husband and often her father-in-law Joe Beard, chopping wood and doing necessary chores to keep a warm home. A hard worker and wonderful mother, she always made sure her loved ones were cared for.

As a young woman, her home was always open; she welcomed her many nieces and nephews, making sure they felt at home whenever they stayed. Part of their ranching life involved the famous Beard oxen. Leona traveled with Billy with the oxen and joined him for countless community parades and other events. She spent her life beautifully fulfilling the role of a cowboy's wife, dedicating herself to her husband and family.

She delighted in baking homemade bread and enjoyed a morning cup of tea with milk, sitting around the table with Billy and her family to discuss the day's upcoming events and funny things. There was a lot of laughter! On school days, Leona and her sister-in-law, Trixie drove the many children across the Idaho state line to catch the school bus. It was sometimes chaotic! During the busy haying seasons, she would come in from the field to prepare hearty meals for the hay crew and all the kids, rounding out her home-cooked meals with a warm chocolate cake. Her cookie jar sat on the counter, usually filled with homemade delicious chocolate chip cookies. Making cookies with her kids and grandkids was a special joy, and she always had a treat ready for visitors. Working on a variety of puzzles made her happy, especially when others joined in. She loved her flowers and her large lawn. She also enjoyed crocheting, making quilts for each grandchild, and scrapbooking. She made scrapbooks for every child and grandchild until the last few years. She kept countless Christmas cards, and saved meaningful mementos from everyone who sent them.

Music was the heartbeat of Leona's life. The kids would often be outside playing and would hear her yodeling or singing to a song on the old phonograph. She sang and played guitar with her sisters-in-law, sometimes up the canyon around a warm campfire with all their kids. She was in the Beard Family Band with family members and others. Often on Saturday nights, Bill would take her out dancing. Later in life, she enjoyed line-dancing. She loved when she had friends and family join her for Saturday night dancing. Later in life she played guitar and sang for Bar-T-5 and really enjoyed it. She loved her music room, and teaching others to play guitar brought her a lot of joy. In their quiet time at home, she and Billy enjoyed watching Gunsmoke and the Virginian, and classic old westerns.

Leona survived colon cancer in 1972, as well as other major health issues, victories that granted her decades more to spend cherishing her loved ones. She will be remembered for her patience, kindness, hard work, tender heart, warm smile, and easy laugh. She treasured the memories and keepsakes of her parents and family. She is greatly missed by all her family, who hold close the memories of her long, full life.

Leona is preceded in death by her parents, husband Billy, brothers Leonard and Harold (Ruth), sisters Verda (Ned) Hibbert, Viola (Boyd) Searle, and Deloris (Verlin) Searle, a sister-in-law Elaine Hill, two sons-in-law Roger Huff and David Lerwill, and her brothers-in-law Bob Beard, Lyle Beard, and Newel Kimball. She is survived by two brothers, Robert (Ann) Hill of Victor, Idaho, and Veldon (Christine) Hill of Meridian, sisters-in-law Gloria Kimball, Trixie Beard, Janie (Vance) Rasmussen. Leona's legacy lives on through her surviving five children and their families: Lana Beard (Alan Johnson) ; Shirley Lerwill; Jim (Beth Ann); Clayton (Tresha); Lori (Clint) Calderwood. She is also survived by an extended family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A small family private funeral service to honor Leona's life will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026. All family and friends are invited to attend the graveside service which follows at 1 p.m. Interment will take place in the Cache-Clawson Cemetery. The family would like to thank all those who have expressed kind words about our beloved mother.