Joleen James

Biography

A Bon Voyage Celebration was given in honor of Joleen Monson James. She departed on the ship “Eternity” to the ports of Peace and Tranquility on July 10, 2012, in all her beauty and with a spirited “See you later!” Joleen was born the oldest of four children to Don Carlos Monson and Olive Arline Wilson on May 22, 1933, in Long Beach, California.

In 1940 her family relocated to Brigham City, Utah, were she spent her school years and graduated from Box Elder High School in 1951. She graduated from Weber School of Cosmetology and later received her bookkeeping credentials.

She married Arlo Alvin James on April 17, 1953 in the Logan, Utah temple. They were later divorced. Joleen began her married life in Park Valley, Utah, lived in Walla Walla, Washington for ten years and spent the last thirty-five years in Bountiful, Utah. Joleen had many friends and fond memories of her time in Walla Walla. While in Bountiful, she worked for Syro Steel Company, Burton Lumber, Fidelity Investments, retired at age 75 from Questar, and was an Avon representative for 33 1/2 years.

She is preceded in death by her parents and survived by her sisters Arleen (Ed) Gray and Eileen Siggard and her brother Robert Don (Christy) Monson. Joleen is the mother of five incredible children who attribute all of their success to her example, virtues, and support. Annette (Bryce) Justesen, Cindy (Kent) Hafen, Linda (Bill) Bacon, Curtis (Bonnie) James, and Juliet McDonald. She is survived by fifteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Joleen had a sense of humor and timing only equal to the best of comedians and taught others how to laugh, love, and enjoy living. She was a loyal and caring friend, was known for her excellent potato salad and mashed potatoes with gravy, passionate about politics and a Utah Jazz and BYU Fan. Go Blue!!

She was an active member of Daughters of the Utah Pioneers (Birdland) and played bunko and bowling. She enjoyed traveling and took a tour of the United Kingdom, traveled seven ports off the North Sea in Europe, and also sailed the Caribbean. Her family and friends hope to propagate and emulate her example in the generations to come.

She attributed her life and any successes to her belief in the Savior and living the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When she looked back there was just one set of footsteps.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday July 21, 2012 at the Bountiful LDS Twelfth Ward Building, 1475 North 300 West. Due to the Bountiful 24th of July parade, friends and family may attend a viewing Thursday July 19, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful. There will also be a viewing Saturday, prior to the funeral from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.