An AMAZING Woman!

Chris is cousins with my best friend Allison and through both of them I have gotten to know their family pretty well. Among those amazing family members was their Grandmother Jeanne. She honestly is the greatest. She had an amazing life and raised an amazing family. She was so cute to me and always so interested in what I was up to. In the last few months of her life she was always asking me when Chris and I had plans to marry. She was so sweet and always wanted to be sure EVERYONE was happy. Unfortunately she died unexpectedly on Monday evening. Although she had a long full life and we need to celebrate  her life it is also so sad to have her gone. The Oklands get together quite a bit and in the last year and a half she has become like family to me. She will be missed but I know that she is so happy to be with her family that was patiently waiting for her on the other side. Please read her obituary so you will know at least a little bit about this great woman. 

JEANNE GRANT OKLAND WARNER 

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Jeanne Grant Okland Warner 1925 ~ 2011 Jeanne Grant Okland Warner, 86, passed away August 15, 2011 surrounded by loved ones. Jeanne was born Feb. 5, 1925 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Clarence and Ruby Grant. She attended Columbus Elementary School, Irvine Junior High School, and South High School. She graduated in business from LDS Business College and used those skills during World War II at Fort Douglas at the 9th Service Command. On December 18, 1944, Jeanne married Jack Okland. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. She adored Jack and was his constant companion and best friend. Together they raised their six children in their Sugarhouse home. Jeanne loyaly supported Jack in his career, as owner and CEO, of Okland Construction Company. Jeanne was privileged to enjoy her husband's success as Okland Construction built temples, churches, and major commercial buildings across the country. Jeanne was a talented athlete who loved to play competitive sports with friends. She enjoyed tennis, golf, and bowling. She won several tournaments as a member of both the Salt Lake Country Club Ladies Golf Association and Bowling Association. She remained physically active her entire life. Jeanne was a talented seamstress and cook. She took an active part in her community as President of the Women's Group in the Sugarhouse Rotary. Throughout her life she diligently served in many capacities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including as a counselor in the Relief Society Presidency and as Primary President. She and her husband Jack were philanthropists and together sent 25 Norwegian students to BYU and Native American students to both LDS Business College and BYU. Jack and Jeanne's love for service led them to organize and provide vacations for many widows in their home ward throughout the years. Jeanne enjoyed collecting dolls and donated her extensive doll collection to Primary Children's Hospital. Jeanne travelled the world with her husband, Jack. They spent their summers in a family home in Norway and split time between Utah and Arizona the remainder of the year. She formed lifelong friendships and had friends all over the world. Jeanne's greatest joys and her biggest trials have come in her role as a mother. As a young mother with a six week old baby, Jill, and preschool aged son, Randy, she lost her two year old son, Jeff, to pneumonia. Later she watched three of her adult children, Jack Jr., Joy, and Jill, and her first husband, Jack, all lose their lives to cancer. Despite her trials, Jeanne remained upbeat, active, and strengthened those that mourned around her. She loved her children and found great joy in being a mother and later in being a grandmother and great-grandmother. Her children and grandchildren adore her. On October 5, 2009, Jeanne married Dr. Homer Warner. They were happy companions who enjoyed traveling and spending time together in their Salt Lake and St. George homes. Jeanne embraced Homer's children as an extension of her own family and enjoyed spending time with them. Jeanne was inclusive and accepting of all. She was quick to forgive and always generous to those in need. She was deeply loved and respected by many. Her friendly and youthful personality, sense of humor, and happy demeanor will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She leaves a legacy of strength, courage, and faith to her posterity. The family will miss the frequent gatherings she organized. Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Okland and her children Jeffrey Okland, Jill Tuft (Tom), Jack Okland Jr. (Pam), and Joy Ellis (Scott), her parents Clarence and Ruby Grant and her brother Keith Grant (Jerri.) She is survived by her husband Homer Warner, John "Randy" Okland (Sandra), and James Okland, and sons-in-law Tom Tuft and Scott Ellis and daughter-in-law Pam Okland. She is also survived 16 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 19th at 12 Noon at the Parley's 6th Ward, 2350 South 2100 East. Viewings will be held Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, and again 10:45 to 11:45 prior to the services at the ward. Because of Jeanne's love of children, the family suggests donations to Primary Children's Medical Center in lieu of flowers. 

Sorry for another sad post. Two in a row. Hopefully I'll have something fun and upbeat next time.