Darleen Lou Hendon, 71, of La Grande passed away on Friday, March 1, 2019, at a local care facility. A Viewing will be held at Loveland Funeral Chapel on Thursday, March 7, 2019 5:00-700pm. A Funeral Service will be held at the La Grande First Christian Church on Friday, March 8, 2019 at 10:00am. A short graveside service will follow. A meal will be held after the graveside service at the First Christian Church. Darleen was born on March 7, 1947 in Grand Junction, Colorado to Lawrence and Evelyn (Gardiner) Young. In Junior High School, Darleen moved with her family to Afton, Wyoming, where she graduated from Star Valley High School. After marrying her one true love, George Hendon, on January 6, 1969, they moved to Graysville, Tennessee, for about one year. The couple returned to Afton, Wyoming, for a short period. They then moved to the Grande Ronde Valley in 1971, eventually settling in La Grande in 1976. Darleen was employed along the way at the Star Valley Hospital in Wyoming, Rhea County Memorial Hospital in Tennessee and ultimately The La Grande Observer from where she retired. She also volunteered with the Santa Mall, local 4-H, and for countless activities involving her children and grandchildren. She was an avid yard saler, enjoyed playing bingo, and attended and assisted with local auctions. She also enjoyed following the Portland Trailblazers, Oregon Ducks, and Atlanta Braves. Darleen is survived by her children, Clay Hendon (Kathy) of Kennewick, WA, Roxanne Stephens (Butch) of La Grande, OR, Miles Hendon (Trudy) of La Grande, OR and Jeremy Hendon of Washington, DC; sisters, Colleen Jenson (Jim) of Goodyear, AZ, Eileen Boss (Alan) of Grand Junction, CO; brother, Clark Young (Maureen) of Cheyenne, WY; 6 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren and 26 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, George; parents Lawrence and Evelyn and brother, Derald Young. Funeral Home: Loveland Funeral Chapel 1508 4th Street La Grande, OR US 97850