CAVENDER, LESLIE JOHN – December 29, 1961 – October 30, 2006

Leslie Ann John Cavender, 44, former Malad resident, died on October 30, 2006 in Elko, Nevada.

She was born December 29, 1961 in Malad, a daughter of Eldon and Merle John. She attended school in Malad and was very active in 4-H, FFA and high School Rodeo. She served as an Idaho State officer in FFA and competed in breakaway roping at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Yakima, Washington her senior year. She attended Utah State University where she was a member of the Collegiate Livestock Evaluation Team.

It was there that she met Bob Cavender and they were married November 12, 1982. They lived in Malad, where she worked for the local medical clinic until June of 1984, when they moved with a new arrival, Samantha, to Elko, Nevada.

In Elko, Leslie worked for a short time for Dr. Bruce Branscomb at the Nevada Dept. of Agriculture. She dedicated most of her time raising Samantha and later on, her son, Rob, and youngest daughter, Cathy.

When Cathy was old enough, Leslie went back to work, pursuing her love for animals at the Tanabo Veterinary Clinic for Dr. Rob Finley.

Leslie loved all kinds of animals, making her very active in the local 4-H program and serving as the general leader of the Adobe Summit 4-H Club for several years. She was also an active supporter of the Ruby Mountain FFA Chapter, the Elko Youth Rodeo and the Elko High School Rodeo Club.

Leslie is survived by her husband, Bob of 24 years; children: Samantha, Rob, Cathy, all from Elko, Nevada; her father, Eldon (Jean) John, Malad; brothers and sisters: Sandy (Gordon) John, Mike (Chris) John, Mark (JoLynn) John, and Wendy (Jim) Scalise, all of Malad; and many nieces and nephews.

Leslie’s mother, Merle, preceded her in death.

Graveside services for Leslie were conducted on Friday, November 3 in the Samaria Cemetery. Arrangements by the Horsley Funeral Home, Malad.