Deon Romrell

We said goodbye to our beautiful mama in the early hours of May 14, 2024. Although we are extremely heartbroken, we feel some comfort knowing she is reunited with our dad and the love of her life, Kent.

Deon Virgin was born on August 20, 1949 to Fern Wilcox and Wesley Jehu Virgin in Rexburg, Idaho. Deon was the fourth of seven children (Marjene, Jan, Julie Ann, Vicky Marie, Pamela and Lisa Kay). She was preceded in death by her brother, Jan, and her parents.

Deon attended Washington Elementary in Rexburg until fourth grade. The family moved to Idaho Falls and she attended Hawthorne Elementary, Bel-Aire Elementary (now Dora Erickson), Clair E. Gale Junior High and Idaho Falls High School.

On September 1, 1966, she married Kent Milton Romrell at his parents home in Idaho Falls. Their daughter, Leslee, was born on April 16, 1967. A son, Jeffrey Kent, followed on August 2, 1968. Identical twin daughters Holly and Heather arrived on April 27, 1970. Deon often noted that four children were born to them in three years and 11 days. Whew!

In 1980, she graduated from Eastern Idaho Vocational School with an Associates Degree in Drafting. Deon worked as a draftsman for several years and retired from the Idaho National Lab in 1995. After retirement, she took art classes and began creating beautiful watercolor art.

She enjoyed serving her family and community. Deon volunteered with youth to provide alcoholism awareness and prevention. She also donated countless hours to United Way and Hospice of Eastern Idaho.

Her four children – Leslee (Randy), Jeff (Robyn), Holly(Pat), and Heather – were her constant pride and joy. And her grandkids (Joel, Luke, Jordan, Nicole, Zack, Bailey, Matthew, Lauren, Alexis, Sam and Gabe) were the center of her universe and gave her an extra sparkle in her eyes. Her great granddaughter Lucy gave her much joy in her final years.

In June 2014, Deon suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm, which changed the course of her life. She was later diagnosed with vascular and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The last 10 years of her life were full of struggle but she maintained her sweet and positive personality and remembered her loved ones until the end. Deon loved the mountains, backpacking, hiking and skiing. Some of our favorite memories that will keep her alive in our hearts are a four night backpacking trip with four young children, her sister Vicky, and her 60 year old mother that took them through Teton Crest Trail via Alaska Basin; climbing Half Dome with Jeff at age 50; sporting a purple Mohawk at Relay for Life during her battle with breast cancer; dressing up in crazy Halloween costumes that scared neighborhood children and alarmed the security staff at the Willowcreek building when she dressed as a terrorist; tackling Jeff at the Oakland airport in her excitement to see him; and taking surfing lessons at age 63 in Maui with her children and grandchildren.

Our family would like to give special thanks to the exceptional staff at Hospice of Eastern Idaho. You loved our mom too, and gave us much needed comfort in the most agonizing, heart-wrenching moments. Thank you to the amazing care givers in the Memory Care Unit at Lincoln Court Assisted Living. You are truly special and helped us find peace knowing we could trust our precious mama to be cared for by your loving spirits. We often heard you telling mom “I love you.” Visiting Angels staff, you are aptly named, and provided friendship, care and love to our mom and all of us.

Deon requested that anyone wishing to honor her memory make donations to Hospice of Eastern Idaho. A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor on Saturday, June 15th at The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho from 4-6 pm followed by a private graveside service.

Mama, we miss you with our whole hearts. You will never be forgotten. We cherish every hug, “I love you” said, and silly moment we shared. Thank you for the amazing example you set for how to be a mom, grandma, and friend. You are loved by everyone you met and we know that we are being watched over by two incredible guardian angels. Love, Leslee, Jeff, Holly and Heather.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.