Roland Albert Jenkins

Roland Albert Jenkins passed peacefully from this mortal life on February 19, 2022, at his home in St. George, Utah. He is survived by his adored, devoted wife of 58 years, Konnie Zesiger Jenkins; his children Brenda (Wes) Cooper, Trent (Cheri) Jenkins, Ross (Kiera) Jenkins, Ryan (Melissa) Jenkins, Amber (Lance) Rigby, and Jill (Brad) Pierson; 36 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren (with 3 more coming this spring); his siblings Arlene (Robert) Glover, Dennis (Nancy) Jenkins, Jeniel (Mike) Lowry, and Von (Beth) Jenkins. He is preceded in death by his loving parents Llewellyn Albert and Sylva Josephine Eksund Jenkins and his sister Jeanette (Jay) Call.

Roland was born on December 25, 1938, in National City, CA. He grew up in Roosevelt and Midvale, Utah, and graduated from Jordan High School. He served in the Army Reserves in the special forces. He met Konnie at the Utah State Capitol Building and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on October 3, 1963. They moved to Las Vegas, NV, where he started and ran a very successful stucco company. Roland has said that one of the great joys of his life was working alongside his sons at Jenkins Plastering. They are indebted to him for teaching them the value of hard, honest work. He blessed the lives of countless individuals through his generosity and care.

Roland served faithfully in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was the bishop of the UNLV student ward and joyfully served for decades with the youth of the Church. Many, many of those they have served and loved still consider Roland and Konnie as “second parents” and lasting influences for good in their lives. Roland enjoyed his time as a service missionary as an usher, first at the Tabernacle, and then at the Conference Center in SLC. He also cherished his time serving in the St. George Temple. He was loved, admired, and a role model of optimism everywhere he went. His testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ burned brightly and was expressed often until the day of his death.

His family was privileged to spend the last two weeks of Roland’s life receiving counsel, blessings, prayers, and yes, laughs from him. In his own words, “These are the greatest days!” What an amazing example of endurance, joy, faith, hope, and love! The family is “blessed to know that his spirit lives on and that families are forever. We look forward to the day when we can see his bright smile again. Until then, we hope to live by his example so that we can look forward to meeting our Heavenly Parents and our Savior Jesus Christ with the same joyful anticipation and excitement that he did.”

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main St., Bountiful, Utah 84010 where a viewing will be held from 9:00 -9:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment Centerville City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.