Esther Suess Jones

On April 17, 2021 Esther quietly passed away after living a bright, happy, and joyful life.  She is survived by her husband Wendell; their children Stephanie (Dave), David (Marianne), Wendy (Jeff), and Brad (available); 14 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 3 sisters and a brother.  She was preceded in death by her parents John and Gertrude, her brother Jared, and her first born son Lance.

Esther was born in Zurich, Switzerland.  She and her family came to America when she was 10 years old. Esther fully embraced her Swiss heritage including her mother’s love of cooking and her father’s love of the earth.

She was born with a green thumb.  She often spoke of how she worked with her dad landscaping.  Her face lit up whenever plants, trees, or flowers were around.  She often “rescued” little trees when she was out in the wild – making them part of her home’s landscape.  Her yard and home were always a work of art with the earth her canvas and planted things her paint.

Cooking, and maybe more importantly said feeding, was one of the many ways Esther showed love.  Dinners, drop by snacks, and breakfasts at mom’s house were love infused events.  She was just as creative in the kitchen as she was in the yard.  When asked what she put in her gourmet dishes, she would say, “Oh just a little of dis and and little of dat.” (Spoken in her adorable Swiss accent).  Halloween was her favorite meal prep event.  She created incredibly beautiful and equally yummy meals on the most ghoulish night of the year.  Some of the most memorable creations were spider meatloaf, eyeball Mac and cheese, and braided bread snakes — ooooh the creepy fun!

Esther was married to the love of her life Wendell in 1958.  Wendell and Esther were introduced to each other by Wendell’s sister Carol.  The story goes that Carol told Esther she had to meet her brother the Air Force pilot.  Well, that was more than a little stretch of the truth.  He was in the Air Force and he did fly in planes.  Nevertheless, their love blossomed.  They lived in many parts of the world as part of Wendell’s military career.  Ultimately, they settled in Davis County and have called it home ever since.

Esther loved.  She loved everyone and everything.  She would catch the random bee stuck in the trailer and set it free outside.  She loved her dogs, from Rex to Louie.  As her mind faded, she loved her stuffed animal dog as much as Fritz or Heidi.  Everyone who knew Esther loved her back.  She was pure joy, kindness, and compassion.  The cure for whatever bothered a person was to sit with Esther for a moment.  We always felt better after being with her.  Life always looked brighter.  The flowers were always prettier when she grew them.  Esther left a far reaching legacy of joy and love.

Wendell was blessed the most of us all.  He spent 63 years with an angel on earth.  She would spoil or scolded Chonsey (that’s Jonesy with a Swiss accent).  Both were done with the same measure of love.  She calmed him and filled him with joy.  In the end, she grew to rely on him.  She depended on his loving patient care for her.  Wendell was given a second chance at living.  He made the most of it.  The feelings he had for Esther grew to become endlessly tender expressions of love and devotion.

A viewing will be held Friday, April 23, 2021, from 6-8 pm at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main in Bountiful.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Russon Mortuary, with a viewing from 12:45-1:30 pm.  Interment Bountiful City, Utah.