Walt D LeFevre

Walt LeFevre
"This old cowboy rides away"

    Walter Dean LeFevre Sr. 88, passed away March 8, 2024 in Grantsville. He was the first born child to Walter Dame LeFevre and Ione Torgeson on December 6, 1935 in Los Angeles, CA. 
    Walt’s father died when he was 14 years of age. The eldest of five children, Walt became the family provider and ran the farm and the family owned store. He missed 74 days of school his senior year to support his mom and four other siblings. 
    He met the love of his life, Cleo Utley, at the 9th grade dance and it was love at first sight. They eloped to Vegas in June, the summer between their junior and senior year of high school. As a married couple, they both graduated from high school. Our family was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on December 4, 1977. 
    After high school graduation, Walt and Cleo relocated to various locations in Salt Lake City and Murray until 1977 when they moved the family “home” to Monroe. 
    Walt went on to get his certificate for real estate, insurance sales and contracting license. Walt started LeFevre Enterprise Construction where he owned and operated a backhoe and a cat. He built homes, dug septic tanks, built bridges, apartments, cabins, sport haven, storage units. He was a contractor for 45 years. Walt thought of work as a blessing and he believed in open honest communication, integrity, good work ethic and service to humanity. Walt believed you should always pay cash for everything you purchased. 
    Walt loved to garden and used an old farm plow and the mules. He loved gardening and worked hard during the growing season. He would take proceeds to the widows and single mom’s and neighbors. We bottled and preserved food to eat all winter. 
    Walt loved fishing, hunting to provide food for his family and traditions of camp. He loved watching western movies and reading Louis Lamor books. Walt started a new hobby and began building wagons. He wrote and published a book about wagons. He and Cleo went on numberless wagon trains from Salt Lake to California and all over. They were the opening of the  
Pioneer Day parade in Salt Lake City with many, many parades to follow. Dad loved this and loved the missionary experiences that became of it. His world turned upside down on April 8, 2005 when his sweetheart Cleo crossed the veil after much long suffering. 
    Cleo always said Walt couldn’t sit still long enough for a bird to poop and to welcome a new wife and not chase her away. So Walt got his boots shined, his cowboy hat reshaped and took Janet shopping to assist him with his new cowboy wardrobe and then set out his search to find him a new woman. 
    Lee Esplin introduced Dad to Roberta a few months after Mom died. Dad immediately was star struck and in just six short months later he married Roberta Norris. Roberta was a city girl, but absolutely loved the country life. She cooked and sewed and joined Dad in both of their love for horses and wagon train life. She made Dad very happy and spoiled him with her homemade cooking. Roberta crossed the veil May 31, 2018. 
    Dad served on the Monroe City Counsel and in various church callings. He loved the Lord and felt it was his duty to preach to all. 
    Walt is survived by his children with Cleo: Dean (Joyce) LeFevre, Cedar City; Margie Aaron, Sandy (Odis), Janet (Kelly) Christiansen, Grantsville; Christy (Brett) Jensen, Washington. Walt has 14 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Roger LeFevre, Karen (Erris) Dissel, Larry (Kim) LeFevre, Lorraine (Alden) Kapp, Arlene (Gary) Knowles, Craig (Tonya) Henrie.  
    Also preceded in death were Walt’s parents; brother, Jack Henrie; sister, Camille Gates; and sister-in-law, Linda LeFevre; step sister, Lori Gafney.
    Special thanks to Diamond Jane’s Assisted Living, Active Hospice Care for their loving care of our father.
    Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 12:00 Noon in the Monroe 3rd Ward Chapel, where friends may call from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Elsinore Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com