LuAnn “LuLu” Dawn Leverson, 67, of Richland, Washington died on August 20, 2026, in Spokane Valley after a year-long battle with a progressive form of ALS.

LuAnn was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 4, 1959, but moved to Great Falls, Montana where she was raised until attending college at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. While there, she met her husband, Mike Leverson and completed her degree in Education in 1981. After college, they began their life together and moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania, chasing Mike’s engineering career with Bechtel. While in Delaware Valley, they had three children Cassie, Cristin and Brett. She then completed her Master’s in Education in 1985 while raising her young children. She always had a big passion for education and loved working with kids. In 1995 they settled down and moved back to Richland, Washington where they lived for the last 31 years.

LuAnn taught at McLoughlin Middle School (MAC) in Pasco as an 8th grade English teacher. She planted her roots deep and worked there for 23 years. During her teaching years she was a wonderful teacher, mentor and instructional coach. She always greeted her students with “Good morning, good morning” along with a big smile. She embraced all students and was able to meet their needs whether they were highly capable or a struggling second language learner. She was passionate about reading and was able to get a state funded grant to start an annual Holocaust Museum at MAC. Hundreds of 8th grade students read The Diary of Anne Frank and completed a handmade project of their choosing in response to the book. In 2009 she was nominated and received the Pasco Staff Achievement award for her commitment to her work on the Holocaust museum. For the last couple of years at MAC, she was an Instructional Coach, where she was able to help administrators, teachers and students with her amazing knowledge of teaching, reading and leadership. She chose early retirement in 2019 to spend more time with her family, grandkids and traveling the world.

LuAnn’s time in Richland was spent serving others, enjoying friendships, valuing family time and traveling all over the world. Friendships were a cornerstone in LuAnn’s life. She was always there with the biggest hug and kindest heart. She enjoyed bunco group and monthly book club with many dear friends. There was always a deliciously planned dinner party most weekends or she knew of the newest restaurant to try out. She enjoyed being physically active through hiking and bike riding. Not only did she have endless fun with her friends, but they also loved to serve others. She found joy in her retirement years by volunteering at the Richland Food Bank and also at Christ King Church maintaining the Mary Garden and the annual Sausage Fest. Her Catholic faith was very important to her and she made many lasting connections at Christ the King. In her final years she would even watch weekly mass via YouTube during her time in Spokane Valley to stay connected with the community. LuAnn also was passionate about gardening. She loved spending countless hours in the dirt making her yard stunning. She would plant annuals every spring, tend to her rose garden, grew massive hydrangeas and even had some vegetables. She always had fresh cut flowers in the kitchen from spring to fall. Her time in the garden was therapeutic and brought her peace. Upon early retirement, LuAnn quickly started planning travel trips. This included road trips, international travel and even cruises. She found so much joy in exploring the world not only with her husband Mike, but with her friends as well. Some of their most favorite trips included hikes through Glacier National Park to Sperry Chalet, bike and boat cruises in Europe, Viking River Cruises and traveling up and down the west coast connecting with friends and family.

LuAnn was the matriarch of her family. Not only as the oldest in her family with three younger brothers Tim (66) and twins James and Jeff (58), but also with her own family guiding, directing and always supporting. She was an avid supporter of her children’s athletics and the Gonzaga basketball team. She supported Cristin’s soccer career at Gonzaga University, Brett’s baseball years from little league though high school and lastly Cassie’s club and high school volleyball teams. LuAnn wore many hats in life, but her most cherished hat was being a grandmother or “Lulu” as the grandkids would call her. Her pride and joy late in life was showering them with countless memories. Whether it was bringing them yummy treats or king-sized candies, taking them to shows or playing games like snake and Yahtzee, or driving in endless circles around roundabouts. She always wanted to make them smile and be happy. Brooklyn (15), Shane (13), Liviana (10), Flynn (7) stood by her side over the last year offering sweet precious memories during the hardest year of her life. She will forever be their guardian angel. She also found much pride in her son in law Dr. Greg Staeheli “best son in law ever”.

LuAnn is survived by her husband Mike Leverson (69) of 45 years, Cassie and Greg Staeheli (42, daughter and son in law) and their four children (Brooklyn, Shane, Liviana, Flynn), Cristin Leverson (40, daughter), Brett Leverson (36, son). Her mother Margaret Block (89) and her three brothers Tim (Sandra), Jeff (Jennifer) and James (Juliet) and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father Donald Bodner and her in-laws Myron and June Leverson. A special appreciation to her Spokane Valley caregivers Shelia, Esther, Cindy, Liz and the whole team at Horizon Hospice. She can now rest in peace in the safe arms of her God. Her legacy will live on. May we all live a little more like LuAnn, with passion and purpose. A celebration of LuAnn’s vibrant life will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate in honor of LuAnn to The Children’s Reading Foundation of Mid-Columbia or the Boys and Girls Club of Benton and Franklin County.