Barbara LaJeunesse

Barbara Ann LaJeunesse was born to Dale Udy and Maude Erickson on November 2, 1921 in Elba, Idaho. She passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at Bridgeview Estates in Twin Falls, Idaho at the age of 90 with her daughters by her side. She was raised and attended schools in Albion and after graduation attended Albion State Normal school in the fall of 1939 and graduated in the spring of 1941.

During her senior year she met Jay G. LaJeunesse of Eden, ID and they were married on Friday, June 13, 1941. Jay planned to return to school, but the war changed their plans and they moved to California for the winter and returned to Albion in the spring of 1942 where he re-entered school.

Barbara began teaching at the Eden school until 1948 when both she and Jay began teaching for the Snake River School District (west of Blackfoot) where she served as a teacher. She later became the librarian at Hansen High School, a position she held for 29 years. In addition to her title as librarian, she also served as a P.E. instructor, track coach, tumbling team coach, and lifetime sports instructor. Her many positions earned her the nickname of “Teach”.

In 1961, Barbara received her B.A. in Secondary Education from Idaho State University. After 36 years of teaching, she retired in 1982 to spend time with family. She lost her only son Kenneth in 1987 due to head injuries sustained in a truck accident. She and Jay kept themselves busy fishing, camping, and attending grandchildren’s activities. She and Jay were members of the Twin Falls Good Sam Blue Birds. Her husband Jay passed away in December of 2001.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, an older brother Lowell Udy, and her son Kenneth.

She is survived by two younger sisters, Marion Keefer and Marlene Smith both of Twin Falls. She also leaves behind three daughters Bonnie (Mike) McGreer of Mesquite, Nevada, Peggy (Greg) Moore of Twin Falls, and Carol (Craig) Bullen of Meridian, Idaho. She has 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren with one on the way, and three great-great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 12:30pm at Sunset Memorial Park. A viewing will be held that morning from 10:00am – 12:00pm at White Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to a charity of your choice in honor of Barbara. Services are under the direction of Lance Cox and the staff at White Mortuary “Chapel by the Park”.