It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our sweet mother, grandma and friend, DeEsta South. She passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on February 6, 2026.

DeEsta was born June 13, 1935, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Frank and Hannah Jane Johnson. She was the third of 5 children, and spent her early years in the Idaho Falls area. She had a happy childhood and enjoyed dancing at stake dances and always seemed to have a dance partner in her twin brother DeLoy. She graduated from Idaho Falls High School, then quickly got a job as a secretary for Garrett Freight Lines where she became proficient at short hand. Service was very important to her and she served diligently as a 2 year stake missionary and Ward Dance Director.

She met the love of her life and eternal companion, Lawrence South, in the summer of 1959. Lawrence was working road construction in Idaho Falls and they were set up on a blind date. Being the comedian that he was, Lawrence told her that he was short, fat and bald. She was hesitant to answer the door and sent her younger sister Rita to inspect. Her sister quickly confirmed that he was very tall, dark and handsome and if DeEsta didn't want him, she would go in her place instead. Lawrence and DeEsta hit it off immediately and started their courtship. They were married in the Logan, LDS Temple on December 4, 1959.

Lawrence and DeEsta moved to Logan, Utah and started a beautiful family. They purchased their perfect home in River Heights and there raised 6 children. DeEsta was a proud and dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in numerous callings including the Primary, Young Women, and the Relief Society. She loved every calling and served with enthusiasm and honor.

While raising their family, both Lawrence and DeEsta began working as custodians for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at the Providence Stake Center. There they both worked and served for over 20 years. It became a second home for them and their children. She loved her job and was proud to be a sacred part of taking care of the Lord's house.

DeEsta was most known for her genuine, kind, compassionate spirit and her warm smile. She was loving and accepting to everyone and invited so many people into her home and family. Her kids and eventually grandkids were always a priority and continuously in her thoughts wherever they were. She had an impeccable memory with a unique ability to recall names, birthdates, anniversaries, and historical events from memory. Her version of a journal consisted of yearly calendars with any and all events scribbled in columns then transferred from year to year. It wasn’t uncommon to have her call one of us to remind us that it was a second cousin’s birthdate today, an early version of a human google.

She had a fun-loving, adventurous spirit. She enjoyed playing games with her grandkids, tinkering in her garden, puzzles, models, camping, traveling, and watching any sporting event, particularly basketball. She also had a mischievous, playfulness that came out on frequent occasions. It wasn’t uncommon to find her jumping on the neighbor’s trampoline, or racing toy tractors down the back hillside, or even joining us on a late night toilet-papering escapade. In her later years, she raced walkers down the hospital hallways, hula hooped and played games in therapy, and threw out the occasional flirt with her handsome therapists.

She is survived by her 6 children: Steven (Kami), David (Pattamon), Jeffrey (Kristi), Jason (Ronda), Karen (Richard), and Connie (Angie), and her brothers Robert Johnson and DeLoy Johnson and sister Anna Killian, and 16 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandchild. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 71 years, Lawrence South, her parents, Frank and Hannah Jane Johnson, and her sister LaRita Johnson.

Her presence will be sorely missed by family and friends and all those that had the opportunity to meet her. We invite you to attend her funeral and celebrate her beautiful life with family and friends.

A viewing will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm, Friday, February 13, at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street, Logan, Utah. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, February 14, 2026 at River Heights Stake Center, 600 E. 800 S., River Heights, Utah with a viewing for visitation from 9:30-10:30 am prior to the funeral. Interment to follow at the Providence Cemetery following the funeral services.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.