Imogene Fay DeWarns died at her home in Fortuna on April 28, 2025.

She was born Imagene Fay Crayton on May 1, 1937, in Tickfaw, Louisiana, the daughter of Elmore Luther Crayton and Mary R. Crayton. Her parents divorced when she was a child, and her mother joined a traveling circus, leaving Imagene to be raised by her grandparents on their farm. There she hoed and raked and picked cotton, learning the power and satisfaction of hard work, values that sustained her all her life.

As a young woman she moved to Indiana, where she changed the spelling of her first name to the more common Imogene. Playing guitar in a church band, she met Sherman Ross Prochnau, who played banjo. They married and had a son, Sherman Ross Prochnau jr. Shortly after young Sherman was born, the marriage ended, and Imogene and her son moved to California, to live with her mother, who had remarried and taken up residence in Eureka.

After extensive study at Eureka Adult School, she became a Licensed Vocational Nurse, and began work at a nursing facility in Pine Hill, where Lawrence K. Leavens was an orderly. They married and had a son, Johnnie Karl Leavens. Hard-working and a quick learner, Imogene did well at the nursing home, taking on more responsibility, and rising to a management position.

After her marriage to Larry came to an end, she married Henry “Hank” DeWarns and moved to Fortuna. Hank was the love of her life. They traveled extensively, often taking their children and grandchildren around the country in their travel trailer; among other destinations, they went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and cruised along the coast of Alaska. With her friend Eva Frye and Pastor Mike Delamarian of Hydesville Community Church, Imogene visited Jerusalem.

After Hank died, Imogene gave herself to her family, while continuing her lifelong commitment of service to others. At the Hydesville Community Church, where she worshiped, she volunteered in the day care and every August attended Royal Family Kids Camp, where she was everybody’s Grandma. She volunteered as well in the local Meals On Wheels program, feeding housebound and impoverished seniors, and drove around Fortuna keeping the peace as a member of the Senior Citizens on Patrol. She served at Redwood Memorial Hospital as a Pink Lady, bringing aid and comfort to patients, sat on the Ways and Means Committee and supported the many fundraisers, socials and other events.

Her children and grandchildren remember her constant nurturing attention, her patience, her kindness, her commitment to true Christian values. She took them to Church; she taught them the ideals that gave her life direction. In her living room she kept a box of toys for them to play with when they visited her. She was always ready to listen and support them.

Her devoted stepdaughter Carmen Leavens Rosenberg cared for her at the end of her life, allowing her to stay in her home. Hospice of Humboldt provided invaluable support during her last weeks.

In addition to Carmen, she leaves behind her grandchildren Zoe Anastasia Leavens and Lawrence Tiger Leavens, and Chanel and Gracie Leavens; her step-grandchildren Heather RosenbergMatthews, Paula Smith Haberman, and Crystal Rosenberg; her great-grandson Emmett William Robinson; her step-greatgrandchildren Drevin Haberman, Dayton Haberman, Jaylee Smith, Vinitree Smith, Hallie Stiglich, Ashley Grzymski, Jordan Wildman and Ryder Meyer; and her step great- greatgrandchildren Delilah Haberman and Aria Wildmon.

Her legacy is her example, a full life, lived well, a force for good in the community, a treasure to us all.

Her family will celebrate her life at her home in Fortuna on Saturday, May 10, at 1 p.m.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Imogene DeWarns loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.