LaVern Ann Albaugh passed away on September 27, 2026, at the age of 86, surrounded by her loving family. Born on October 2, 1939, she had an adventurous childhood in Northern California. She spent many wonderful weekends going to “the Diamond,” a ranch managed by her grandparents, George and Susie Oliver, west of Red Bluff, California. LaVern often reminisced about running home on Fridays because it was faster than taking the school bus. There, Papa George or one of the hired men would be waiting to take her to the Diamond for the weekend.
As she grew up, LaVern became active in 4-H. Highly competitive, it was hard to beat her. She loved telling the story of how a judge couldn’t decide whether she or her sister should win and finally placed her sister higher because her lamb was “fitted just a bit better.” She always chuckled at that because she had fitted both lambs. Another highlight of her childhood was traveling to San Francisco to show her livestock at the Cow Palace.
As the youngest daughter, LaVern enjoyed squabbling with her older sister, Marie. Her favorite story to tell was how one night, while the two were milking cows and bickering, LaVern upended her milk pail right over Marie’s head, ruining her hairdo for an upcoming date. Even decades later, you could get her laughing by simply mentioning the night of the milk debacle.
In 1965, she married Ron Albaugh. They were married for 48 years and raised two sons, Mark and Norris. They first lived on Ron’s family ranch in Adin, California. In 1969, they moved to Fallon, Nevada, after the Albaughs expanded their operation. Fallon would be home for the next 52 years.
In the decades that followed, LaVern was the ultimate ranch wife. She ran a leather business, sold pine cones, grain, and cattails to florists, and cooked for harvest crews. She loved company and baked some of the best desserts, including her famous Mississippi Mud Cake. Everyone knew her freezer would be well-stocked with treats, and visitors often showed up around mealtime. She was also a devoted member of Parkside Bible Fellowship and the Churchill County Cowbelles.
LaVern took ranching seriously. She often talked about the highs and lows of ranch life, particularly one brutal winter when she had 23 chilled calves in front of her wood stove to warm up. Ranching wasn’t just her identity; it was her life, woven into nearly every part of who she was.
LaVern also took great pride in her hair. Every two weeks, like clockwork, she would be at the salon. Her appointments were a sacred routine, and everyone in the family knew it. On one memorable occasion, her grandchildren were out hunting when they shot a buck, leaving them unable to take her to her hair appointment. For a brief moment, that was the end of the world… until the appointment was rescheduled for the next day.
As the years continued, LaVern had several big adventures. In 2022, she moved with her son, Norris, and his family to a ranch near Maywood, Nebraska. There, she built a brand-new home and enjoyed daily visits from her grandchildren. Birthdays were always celebrated with her, and if you were asked what kind of cake you wanted, “Granny” would make sure that was what you got.
In 2024, the Albaugh family sold their Nebraska ranch and moved to Milan, Missouri. There, LaVern made her home with her son, Norris, alongside her granddaughter, Helen, and grandson-in-law, Sam. She enjoyed going to church, watching the sheep from the porch with an embroidery project in hand, and keeping tabs on her cattle. She also cherished visits from her grandchildren, Ann, Waldo, and Wilhelmina, who all lived out of state.
LaVern leaves behind a lifetime of memories and more stories than could ever fit on a few pages. But we know she is reunited with the family she loved in heaven, cooking meals for the angels and making sure her hair is just right.
LaVern is survived by her sons, Norris Albaugh and Mark (Teresa) Albaugh; her four granddaughters, Ann Albaugh, Carrie Albaugh, Helen (Sam) Brewster, and Wilhelmina Albaugh; her grandson, Waldo Albaugh; four great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Albaugh; her parents, John and Helen Hencratt; and her sister, Marie Haley.
A private burial will be held with family. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Adin Community Center in Adin, California, at 11 a.m. on October 17, 2026, with a meal to follow. Friends and family are invited to celebrate LaVern’s life.
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