LaJean Winn

The Graveside Service will be live-streamed here (recording available after service).

LaJean Smith Winn, age 90, of Randlett, Utah returned home to her Heavenly Father on December 27, 2025, at her home with family by her side. She was born on June 6, 1935, in Duchesne, Utah to William “Bill” and Rula Tanner Smith. LaJean was the fifth of six children, three of which died in infancy. At age 15 she met her sweetheart, Ralph Winn at the Red Barn Dance Hall in Ballard, Utah. She let it be known that he never proposed marriage so she asked him to wait for her. A short time later, she moved with her parents to Salt Lake City because they went to find work. Ralph also moved to Salt Lake City to work and lived with his sister Ella and her husband. I guess her question was finally answered on May 7, 1951, when they said “I DO,” just one month before she turned 16. He died June 22, 2012. They returned to the Basin and eventually bought a farm in Randlett. Hard times and tough love kept them together for 61 years as they raised five children, Richard, Norman, Debra, Steven and Kenneth. LaJean loved gardening, whether it was tomatoes, roses, or fruit trees – she had quite the green thumb. She shared that talent with her daughter who loves the same things. She taught her children that love and forgiveness are the most important things in the world, not riches! LaJean was one of the first people to receive her endowments when the Vernal Temple opened. LaJean and Ralph were sealed together for all time and eternity on June 22, 2013. Her example and faith blessed Ralph in his final days as he wanted the same things. LaJean was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved to tell people about her ancestor, John Tanner, and how he was converted by a miracle. He then worked to save the church in the early days with his financial help. LaJean often told the family that they would never go without the things they needed, like food, because John Tanner, was given a blessing and a promise that his posterity would never go hungry. She enjoyed reading, mostly church history, the diaries and stories of the early Saints that crossed the plains in wagons, handcarts, and on foot. She worked in the bakery at Stewart’s Grocery Store and then went on to build her own business making beautiful wedding cakes. LaJean is survived by her four children, Richard (JoAnn) Winn, Norman (Karen) Winn, Debra (Leland) Nielson, Kenneth Michelle Winn, daughter-in-law, Linda Winn, 20 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph; her son Steven, and her siblings, Ted Smith, Anne Stephenson, Max Smith, Wilma Smith and Russell Smith. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Ballard Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A viewing will be held at the church that morning from 10:00 - 10:45 AM. Burial will be in the Avalon Cemetery. LaJean’s family would like to thank the nurses and care takers of Canyon Home Health and Hospice for the care and support she was given in her last few months.