Jeanne Fredrickson Obituary

Jeanne Johnson Fredrickson

Ivins

Jeanne Johnson Fredrickson

Donna Jeanne Cowley Johnson Fredrickson, 83, passed away Sunday, June 2, 2013, after suffering the ravages of pancreatic cancer. Jeanne was born May 15, 1930, in Salt Lake City, Utah, at St. Mark's Hospital, to George Fredrick Cowley and Vonda LaVell Nebeker Cowley. She had three brothers and one sister, who she adored. She attended Salt Lake City schools: Columbus Elementary, Irving Junior High, and South High. She later briefly attended the University of Utah. It was at South High she met her high school sweetheart, Ray H. Johnson. Jeanne and Ray were married in the Salt Lake Temple January 21, 1949, and made their home in Murray, Utah. Though Jeanne and Ray divorced after 21 years of marriage, they were blessed with four children to whom they were very dedicated. Jeanne always filled her home with creative endeavors, encouraging her children to be inventive and pursue all interests in life: academics, sports, music, and art. She was a masterful cook, providing delicious homemade meals for her family, and she was a knowledgeable gardener who particularly loved to plant flowers and vegetables.

As a young wife, Jeanne entered a contest, which she won, for penning the catchy phrase "Motor down to Sotor's and save!" That prize-winning phrase was set to music and used in advertisements throughout the Salt Lake area for years. Jeanne graduated from cosmetology school and was a gifted hair stylist, blessing the lives of many women who frequented the salon in her Murray home. After finding herself a single mother, and needing to provide for her children, she trained in the medical field and for years served the many patients, doctors, and nurses of Western OBGYN. Jeanne was blessed with a beautiful singing voice and shared her talents in ward choirs, vocal duets, trios, quartets, and spent over 20 years as a 2nd alto in the famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She traveled extensively with the choir, performing in Japan, Germany, France, Canada, England, Korea, Brazil, and many states in the United States, including Alaska.

Jeanne was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her testimony was strengthened by the many years she sang with the Tabernacle Choir, listening to leaders of the church bear witness of the things of eternity. She served in many callings in Primary, Sunday School, and Relief Society.

On November 28, 1983, Jeanne married Harland Fredrickson in Sandy, Utah. They made their home in Southern Utah, mostly Ivins. Harland passed away on their silver anniversary, November 28, 2008.

Jeanne is survived by her children, who are blessed to have called her mother: Rick (Robby) Johnson, Sandy, UT, Marci (Thomas) Chapman, Belmont, MA, Brian (Mont Willis) Johnson, Salt Lake City, UT, Chris Johnson of Belmont, MA; her stepchildren: Jim (Vikki) Fredrickson, Gary (Tammie) Fredrickson; her brothers and sister: I. Don Cowley, Gary F. (Sally) Cowley, James H. (Paula) Cowley, and Sandra P. (Dale) Koski; her grandchildren: Adam, Cadi, Jentry Jo, Janzyn, and Jaygan; step-grandchildren: Stephanie, Sarah, Summer, Staci, Kenna, and Daniel. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband, and her stepdaughter, Janet Fredrickson.

The family would like to express deep gratitude for IHC Hospice in Southern Utah and Brighton Home Health & Hospice, especially nurse Debi Poulsen and aide Janet Alanis, the very definition of angels on earth.

At Jeanne's request, prior to interment, there will be a short graveside service for close friends and immediate family, Wednesday, June, 5, 2013, 11:00 am, Wasatch Lawn Memorial, 3401 S. Highland Dr., Salt Lake City, UT.