JoLene Watkins Humbert

After a three-year battle with cancer, JoLene passed away peacefully at home on Saturday morning, surrounded by her family. She was comfortable and expressed her gratitude to those who had supported her and her family during this difficult time. She was showered with love and compassion, and she was amazed and humbled by the generosity of others.

JoLene Watkins was born the youngest of three children to Mary Elizabeth Valentine and Marvin Lavell Watkins in Soda Springs, Idaho, on June 18, 1952. She grew up idolizing her older brother and sister and bringing home any animal she came across. At age 21, JoLene chose to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Indiana Mission.

On a cold January night, JoLene met Lewis Humbert at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant in Colorado, and their 42-year love story began. They were married in Lewis's home in Glendale, Arizona, on September 5, 1981. They started their life together in San Antonio, Texas, where they had their two daughters, Jennifer Elyse and Lisa Renee, the joy of their lives. They spent time baking cookies, reading books, and traveling to visit family. They later moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and their joy increased with the addition of their two sons, Ryan Lewis and Marc Lewis.

JoLene loved being at home with her children and spent hours on the floor playing, reading even more books, and teaching her children to be resilient. She had a love of animals and collected them as often as she could. They added a few dogs, a cat, and any animal was always welcome to stop by for a visit, as JoLene always dreamed of living on a farm raising animals. When the kids were younger, JoLene taught Joy School and thoroughly loved it and the time she was able to spend with those special people. Around the same time, she was an aerobics instructor and had many requests to join her classes. Her children all have a love of the water as they spent many summers every day at the pool while she lifeguarded or played a pool game with them. Later, JoLene decided to go back to school and work in dentistry with her husband, a profession that she really came to enjoy.

JoLene loved giving gifts and was a very loving and compassionate woman. She loved being involved in the church, especially with the youth. She talked about her young women often. She served as the Young Women's president, Relief Society president, and taught seminary for several years. She also planned and taught at many youth conferences. JoLene loved being surrounded by family and friends. She had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon; her goal was for each of her family to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.

JoLene is survived by her husband, children, nine grandchildren, and her brother and sister.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 7th, at the West Bountiful 1st Ward, 835 Heritage Point Lane, West, Bountiful, Utah from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.