Donnella Dean

Donnella Joanne Buckley Dean, beloved wife, mother, daughter, and grandma passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter on July 18, 2022.

She was 94 years old.  She was born on January 4, 1928 to Bill and Cecelia Buckley in Sand Point, Idaho.  She grew up in Cokeville, Wyoming where she loved being her dad’s #1 Ranch Hand.  She was the oldest of six kids.  She married her sweetheart, Grant William Dean, for time and eternity in the Logan Utah LDS temple on November 26, 1948.  They started their life together in Cokeville but permanently settled in Woodruff, Utah in 1959 where they finished raising their family.

Donnella was promoted to her husband’s #1 Ranch Hand and devoted mother to her six kids.  She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where she served in various church callings in the Woodruff Ward.  She served as the Clerk for Rich County School District from 1966 to 1980.  After giving “Susie Homemaker” a try, she decided to return to work and ran for the Rich County Treasurer, which she served for three terms from 1982 to 1994, leading to her retirement.  She served with her husband as Temple Ordinance Workers in the Ogden LDS Temple from 1997 to 1999.

Donnella’s greatest treasure and accomplishment was her family.  She followed her kids and grandkids all over the country supporting them in all their many endeavors. She took great pride in her yard and always had the most amazing Christmas decorations.  She helped compile and typed the “First 100 Years of Woodruff” book for all the residents.  She kept a detailed history of her life as well as photo albums detailing the life of her family that were pulled out by her kids and grandkids regularly to reminisce and laugh about.

Donella is survived by her children Bill (Kim) Dean of Rockland, ID, Jere (Vicky) Dean of Fielding, UT, Ric (Kande) Dean of Randolph, UT, Jim (Sharlene) Dean of Morgan, UT and Dauna (Richard) Bruce of Evanston, WY, 16 Grandchildren, 38 Great-Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great Grandson.  Her siblings Audry Ellis, Afton Condie and Joe Buckley.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Grant “Gozzy” Dean, her son Preston Dean, her Parents, and siblings Betty Hoffman and Bill Buckley.

Viewing and visitation will be held Friday, July 22 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Crandall Funeral Home (800 Uinta St. Evanston WY) and Saturday July 23 from 10:00 am to 10:45 am at the Woodruff LDS Church (180 S Main St, Woodruff, UT).

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m., following the Woodruff viewing.