Leilani Fuller Grange

Our fiery, sweet, funny, loving, and full-of-life Leilani, known as “Everybody’s Grandma,” passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in her son’s home on August 16, 2025. A two-time cancer survivor, she courageously battled health challenges and ultimately passed from congestive heart failure. Throughout her life, she blessed not only her family and friends, but also countless neighbors, church members, coworkers, and even many beloved pets.

Leilani was born in 1944 to Ruth Garner and Clyde Norman Fuller. She was the oldest of five children and was a loving sister who shared a special bond with all of her siblings. She was preceded in death by her sisters Naomi, Joyce, and Patsy, and is survived by her brother Gary She was raised in Eden and Ogden, enjoying both the quiet of the country and the bustle of the city, though her heart always cherished the family home in Eden. Surrounded by hardworking, loving parents and a large extended family of cousins, aunts, and uncles, Leilani’s life was filled with joy, laughter, and enduring support.

She graduated from Ogden High School in 1962, where she formed lifelong friendships that continued with lunches, phone calls, and constant care for one another. Lani attended Weber State College, earning a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry in 1967. She was honored as the Outstanding Microbiology Student of 1966. Later, she served as an adjunct lecturer at Weber State and Utah State Universities, teaching in Laboratory and Clinical/Allied Health programs.

Her professional career as a Medical Technologist at McKay-Dee Hospital spanned four decades. She was one of only sixteen people who worked in all three McKay-Dee hospital buildings. Through her work, she gained not just professional colleagues but lifelong friends she deeply valued.

In 1964, Leilani married Stephen E. Grange in the Logan LDS Temple. Together they welcomed two sons: Derek Stephen (1965) and Darin Robert (1968). After a long battle with diabetes, Stephen passed away at just 28 years old in 1972, leaving Leilani to raise “her boys” with grit, hard work, and an optimistic spirit that always looked forward rather than back. Later she married Mike Davies; though they later divorced, she found in him a lifelong friend and gained love and friendship from his family Lois, Jan, Alan, and Art.

As a mother, Lani was strong, devoted, and fiercely protective, her boys’ original “mama bear.” She taught them to work hard, play sports, go camping in the truck and camper, shoot rifles, hunt, fish, and vacation. She later retired early from her career to care for Derek in her home. During his long illness, she cherished every moment with him and his children until his passing in 2008 at age 42.

Leilani lived a life of service. She volunteered with the Red Cross, personally helping victims of both Hurricane Iniki (Kauai, 1992) and Hurricane Andrew (Florida, 1992). A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she loved her Roy 4th Ward family. She was a merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts of America and helped many young men achieve their Eagle Scout rank. She served as a missionary in the Family and Church History Mission and the Family and Church History Headquarters Mission. She also found friendship through the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and thrived in researching family and pioneer history.

Her name, Leilani, meaning “heavenly flower,” was fitting. With her father having served an LDS mission in Hawaii, she naturally loved all things Polynesian. Her soul came alive through friendships in hula dancing, time spent camping and cleaning graves at Iosepa, assisting with the second printing of the Book of Mormon in ancient Hawaiian, a service activity on the island of Molokai, and enjoying many trips to Kauai. The Polynesian community embraced this “red-headed outsider” as one of their own, showering her with love and aloha that she treasured and generously shared with her family and friends, even teaching her grandson and his friends how to do the Haka war dance during lunchtime at school.

The treasures of her life were her children, six grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son Derek Grange and is survived by Derek’s children: Amber (Zach) Spencer, Brandon (Jennie) Grange, Tyler (Sam) Grange, and Ryan (Daidree) Grange. She is also survived by her son Darin (D’dree) Grange and grandchildren Hayden (Nicole) Grange and Macy Grange. One of her greatest joys was being with her great-grandchildren: Harper, Sadie, Grayson, Andrew, Emmett, Emerie, Jaylie, Becka, Miley, Kaycee, and Gunner, who brought endless laughter, love, and KP! (kid power) to her days.

“Grandma Lani” was at her happiest when she was with them—at ball games, recitals, vacations, dinners, sleepovers, parties, and holidays. She had a gift for connecting with each child individually, offering exactly what they needed in the moment, whether it was love, laughter, a piggyback ride, a trip for shakes at The Burger Bar, watching a Jazz game, or a shoulder to cry on. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her immeasurable joy, and she will continue to watch over each of them as their heavenly angel.

She often said to family and friends, “You da best… No Ka Oi.” Truly, Leilani, “No Ka Oi.” God blessed us with a heavenly flower who will remain forever in our hearts and souls. Until we meet again, aloha and mahalo, our sweet Leilani!

Funeral services will be held Monday August 25, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah. Family may visit with friends Sunday August 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary prior to the service.

Interment, Mountain View Cemetery, 5555 E 2700 North, Eden, Utah.

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